Co-produced by Drones frontman Gareth Liddiard, James McCann’s debut album is a dirty collection of tunes, where the frayed guitar lines echo those of Neil Young from the 1970s. Recorded for the most part in February, 2004, it’s been a while waiting, but it’s worth it.

Where Liddiard has a dirty voice on the Drones material, McCann is somewhat sweeter, particularly on the lament “Through the Night”, which slows the tempo after a rockin’ start to Where Was I Then with the likes of “Knowing Smile” and “Been Round Here”. Later, both “Back Again” and “Mystery” showcase a slow waltzing style that perfectly suits the music.

The opening stages of the likes of “Town’s Full of Smoke” highlight his relative vocal limitations, as his voice cracks as he tries to go up half a register, but like obvious hero Young it’s all a moot point as the best thing about Where Was I Then is the feeling it encapsulates. Like a lot of good rock ‘n roll records, there’s a ragged beauty to the songs found here.

Certainly, Where Was I Then is not going to be for everyone. It’s too ragged for folks who want their music simply structured and effortlessly put together. Closer “Black Brown and Blue” is one of the strongest cuts on it, but for the most part it’s the consistency that makes this album an impressive first-up effort. Having gone some two and a half years since recording, Where Was I Then is better for being released, and the follow-up should be the knock-out blow.