I am just a touch conflicted about exclusives in music, particularly where it is the track itself that is limited. On the one hand, in these days of instant downloads perhaps we have become used to being able to listen to pretty much anything. On the other, there is something precious about being in on something early, and smugly holding some rare coveted nuggets that others would kill for.

In the prime days of vinyl, ‘snooze you lose’ was always the name of the game, and in the 6th form, just behind the obvious topics of love, feud and procuring hallucengenics, boasting about a rare vinyl in the record collection was a regular topic.

“Exclusive” is behind the offer with Serenade downloads, and there is also something extra with the scheme when it recently offered a limited number of Tom A Smith demo downloads in an EP to his most ardent fans, limited to just 50 people total being able to access.

As well as net the artist much needed cash without the expense of producing vinyl (it’s a download), it can give a dedicated fan music that may never be formally released, and there is a 15% royalty fee built into any subsequent resale, if things get rare and covetted. That alone has to be a good thing when even an artist with a top 10 album placing worries about how they can afford to live (and yes, I have had a chat with the lead singer of a band in that exact situation).

On this Demos Volume 1 collection, Tom has chosen 7 songs from his extensive song catelogue. Tom has explained that he tries to treat his song writing as a 9-5 job, honing his craft. Tom estimates that if he is not on tour or doing promo work, that on an average day he creates a new song. While this man is often on the road with his band, it still means an impressive collection of tracks build up, while most of them will be unlikely to proceed to full polished release.

So this project also gives an endeavour to Tom’s endless labour, where a select few early birds from his most ardent fan base (called Weirdos after the song) got the chance to buy and own a little slice of Tom’s musical development. The tracks sold out in scant minutes.

I’ll touch on a few tracks in the collection – Who’s That opens the suite. The down load also gives Tom the opportunity to say a few words about the tracks (another little exclusive). Here Tom explains he wanted to emulate something of the different pace and build up of Come On Eileen by Dexy’s, and create a banging live tune. It’s not a direct copy by any stretch but it does have that pleasing speed up, different pacing and energy of Come On. The track lyrics seem perhaps to be a tongue in cheek retort to those kind of questions you might get when you are early in your career. I’ll just have to hope my review questions for Tom over the months didn’t actually inspire the tune.

Losing My Grip is one that Tom has recently given a live airing, both for those who have the collection and for those who don’t. This is Tom being angry and frustrated with himself, when he had a spell of being a bit out of sorts with the constant grind of performing and creating, and of course, you always hit a good patch of creativity but also a period of beige.

What I always admire about Tom’s lyrics are how clear and relatable they are, and here we witness 100% frustration. Even with my little writing projects, I can totally relate to the mood in this tune.

Today in contrast is a sweet and sunny tune with the thoughts of an 18 year running through his life with a loved one, doing all the normal things you might aspire to. Here Tom is writing about his hometown of Sunderland.

Lyrically, Today is one of Tom’s simplest, but it still knocks socks off most of those out there. I like the contrast in this tune and its predecessor Losing My Grip as the two tracks give a feel for the versatility of Tom’s music in 6 minutes. Tom can produce tracks that are heavy, frustrated and angry, and then also something as sweet and wholesome as Today.

Just as Tom’s actual vocals are; deep, gruff with an interesting catch in his voice, musically he is also a complex unique but very accessible musician.

The final song in the 7 collection, Change with its largely piano musical base, reminds me that it’s not that long since Tom mastered piano, but here it sounds like he has been toying with the ivories for years. There’s a very mature and natural flow.

The tune gives a biting commentary of how frustrating it is to live in these stagnant dog end days of Government, where people are suffering and it feels like we are drifting. It might be a controversial topic area that many chart artists might feel they need to water down, but here is a heartfelt message.

Tom has explained he had a mind this tune might be able to be performed at Glastonbury for Leftfield, but in the end it didn’t fit the set.

Change is a masterful rock song, and has echoes of earlier singer songwriters in the way it just flows so strongly.

While I’ve not spoken about all 7 tracks, trust me when I say the whole collection contain songs that could very easily have been given a full release. Clearly this means there will be even stronger tunes in the pipeline which make the cut, and gives an indication of the depth and width of Tom’s Olympic sized abilities.

The limited release also speaks of Tom’s strong vision for where he wants to go, and not to dilute it by fully releasing tracks which do not quite match up. Tom has said he wouldn’t want to release an album that does not totally smash it, and I can feel that. With so many options open, Tom has the talent to pick and choose from his collection.

This Tom A Smith Demos Vol 1 Collection is very clearly a demo set; the songs could be honed, teased and produced a little more sharply, but that does not make them any less valid or precious.

The tunes have been rattling around my head, and they are perfectly formed enough for their own space in the sunlight.

The release is a unique way for fans to pick up some unheard gems and for the artist to pick up a bit of cash and to share something which otherwise may have never seen light of day. I’m pleased to own these.

* words by Tiggerligger

* images frrom Tom A Smith’s socials