The James Hunter Six Off The Fence
The James Hunter Six's Off The Fence arrives as a career-highlight statement that distills decades of British R&B and retro soul into a lean, joyous set. Critics agree the record earns its place as a milestone for Hunter, with the Van Morrison duet “Ain't That A Trip [Feat. Van Morrison]” repeatedly called the album's showpiece and a full-circle, lift-yourself-up moment. Across four professional reviews the collection's warmth, wit, and musicianship make an immediate case for its worth.
The critical consensus, reflected in an 85.5/100 score across 4 reviews, emphasizes timeless rhythm and soul, storytelling, and a vintage groove that never feels pastiche. Reviewers consistently praise the interplay of jump-blues energy and Northern soul phrasing on tracks such as “Ain't That A Trip [Feat. Van Morrison]”, “Here And Now”, “Gun Shy” and the slow-burn tenderness of “Let Me Out Of This Love”. Critics note Hunter's leather-throated vocals, droll British humor, and deft arrangements as the threads that bind the record: catchy piano and rumba-like pulses, tasteful guitar tremolo, and telepathic band interplay produce songs that reward repeated listens.
While reviewers frame Off The Fence more as continuation than reinvention, they also call it a fresh-start moment for Hunter's catalog - an album that reaffirms his mastery of blue-eyed soul and songcraft. Some of the praise hinges on the Van Morrison collaboration and the album's vintage honesty; any listener wondering "is Off The Fence good" will find critics arguing yes, that its standout tracks and consistent songwriting make it worth seeking out. Below, the full reviews unpack how these best songs on Off The Fence stake Hunter's claim to timeless rhythm and soul.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Ain’t That A Trip [Feat. Van Morrison]
4 mentions
"Van Morrison’s vocal assist on “Trip” helps convey the feeling of human shortcomings in matters of the heart."— PopMatters
Here And Now
3 mentions
"Consider slow burners like “Let Me Out of This Love”, “Here and Now”, and “Particular”."— PopMatters
Gun Shy
3 mentions
"doo-wop or early R&B (“Let Me Out Of This Love,” “Trouble Comes Calling,” and “Gun Shy,” co-written with bass player Myles Weeks)"— Americana Highways
Van Morrison’s vocal assist on “Trip” helps convey the feeling of human shortcomings in matters of the heart.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Two Birds One Stone
Let Me Out Of This Love
Gun Shy
Believe It When I See It
Here And Now
Off The Fence
Ain’t That A Trip [Feat. Van Morrison]
One For Ripley
Trouble Comes Calling
Particular
A Sure Thing
Only A Fool
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Sterdan’s voice celebrates Hunter’s gritty delivery and songwriting, noting the Morrison collaboration as a full-circle, brilliant moment that lifts the record. The review singles out the Van Morrison guest spot as a highlight and positions Off The Fence as a fresh start and a big-year statement for Hunter.
Key Points
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The album’s core strengths are timeless rhythm and soul, strong songwriting, and a sense of career-wide summation and fresh beginnings.
Themes
Am
Critic's Take
Elsewhere, “Here And Now” showcases Hunter’s tasteful guitar tremolo and quietly haunting melody, proving his songwriting can be both subtle and immediate. The record reads as a continuation rather than a reinvention, lovingly produced and populated by deft arrangements and British sardonic charm.
Key Points
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The opener “Two Birds One Stone” sets the album’s tone with rumba-like rhythm and vintage soul styling.
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The album’s core strengths are authentic songwriting, tasteful musicianship, and a clear reverence for classic British and American soul traditions.
Themes
Critic's Take
He relishes Hunter’s knack for turning everyday phrases inside out and praises the band’s telepathic interplay, making the best tracks on Off The Fence feel immediate and timeless. Hynes frames the album as a lean, 40-minute set of head-bobbing songs that reaffirm Hunter as a master of blue-eyed soul.
Key Points
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The album’s core strength is its infectious Northern soul grooves and tight band interplay that evoke a vintage yet fresh sound.
Themes
Critic's Take
The James Hunter Six sound unmistakable on Off The Fence, and Steve Horowitz leans into that warmth and wit. The review highlights Hunter’s leather-throated vocals and droll, earnest tone as the glue that makes these best tracks land. Overall, Horowitz frames the album as a pile of familiar gems that still reward repeated listens.
Key Points
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The album’s core strengths are Hunter’s leather-throated vocals, witty storytelling, and tightly rendered retro-soul arrangements.