James: Come Home (1990)

I have a UK 12" single of Come Home backed with Fireaway and Stutter (Live). The version of Come Home is the extended mix by Flood (AKA Mark Ellis), subtitled the "Extended Flood Mix." I really like this tune. In my opinion, the band left the pseudo-Smiths camp and adopted an authentic Manchester sound here.

There is no real video for the extended mix, but you can at least hear it. This is the video for the single release:

James: Strip-Mine (1988)

Manchester's James was supposed to be the next Smiths. Even Morrissey was a fan, but the next-Smiths-thing never really transpired, though the band released some solid records. On this record, there is some clear evidence at to why the band was once considered a successor to the Smiths. In the end, James just seemed to be a lesser version and they never really ignited a passion in me.

Strip-Mine is the band's second LP (released in September of '88) and it's not too bad, though I prefer the later 90s output.