Over the Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year

by Alex James

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Music

192 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2024

About the author

Librarian note: this page contains works by multiple authors with the same name

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alex James account of the year preceding Blur's unexpected but triumphant live return and monumental gigs at Wembley stadium - after not having spoken, let alone played or recorded together for a number of years.

This could have been a fascinating insight into the dynamic, the workings and the creative relationships of one of the greatest bands ever to have come out of the UK... sadly it's not, rather it's more a reasonably interesting account of James' hectic and ramshackle family and farm running life, mildly diverting.

James is a good enough writer, but his focus here is very much on family life and there's very little meaningful insight into either this, or life in Blur either.

Disappointing.

[Ewan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blur bassist Alex James has a lot of plates spinning. Not only did he reunite with one of the biggest bands in history for a whirlwind tour and a new album, but he organised his yearly Feastival, wrote a book and kept life as a dad-of-five on the go. It all comes to a head on Over the Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year, his latest biography which could be seen as a cash-in from the post-Blur reunion. But it can also be seen in the same way we view Richard E. Grant and his diaries. There is a candid nature to this book, despite all the name-dropping and boozing, the desire for a giant Frazzle juxtaposed by the crisp manufacturer’s disinterest. But once James warms up to the year, to the shock return of Blur even when drummer Dave Rowntree didn’t think it was going to happen, Over the Rainbow becomes a real treat.  

Much of it is, inevitably, something for Blur fans. Those little tales of meandering travel or the extraordinary made to sound like the every day are part and parcel of the live music experience. James writes well of these moments. The memories which linger are not the performances at Wembley or the rush of emotion from The Ballad of Darren (an album which still stands as Blur’s best moment), but in the oddities and post-gig delirium. Packing up a patisserie worth of Parisian exports and lugging it cross country and back home, Dave the security guard, all those little features which make a world of difference gives us a glimpse into James’ homestead, which he says is stronger than ever.  

Hard it may be for goodwill to seep in, the genuine joy and physical, mental and moral improvements made by James throughout Over the Rainbow is a joy to read. He may be scant about the details, the juicy gossip on what went down during the Amsterdam gig or what niggling doubts there were about Wembley, but the book was never meant to be about that. What it becomes is an incredibly readable and touchingly personal diary of events, though James manages to carry himself through as a man worried but not rattled by Blur getting back together at a time when planning a festival and balancing his busy home life is all part of the package. Being asked to push the very limit of his work by Albarn is one thing, but the unspoken contract provided by the Blur group is a weighty factor which presents itself the whole way through.  

From exercising his way back into Britpop pants to launching a wine to tie into the times which, a year or two removed from it, did feel like a soft reboot of the era which defines Blur. Pulp was playing gigs down the road while Suede and Manic Street Preachers geared up for a double headline date. Oasis was on the verge of announcing something big the year after. Life repeats itself. Nostalgia is a hungry beast but for James, it is just part of being in a band. His return to Blur is as much a part of his day-to-day going on as fixing the faulty drainpipe at the back end of his farm. Over the Rainbow does well not to buff out the magic of a reuniting band but does scratch away the veneer of gossip. What purpose does it serve to know the squabbles and salacious details, after all? It may sell books and turn into an interesting story, but it would have removed the sincerity to be found in Over the Rainbow.  

If you liked this review, you can read more of my work on my website, Cult Following.

[Jodie Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to be in the James family! Very funny and heartwarming account of life with his huge family on his farm and the preparation for Feastival, against the backdrop of Blur recording The Ballad of Darren and their massive Wembley gigs and world tour. It's obvious that how much he can say around the band is limited ... the book never divulges the reason for past arguments for example and I definitely would have liked to know more about "The Boss" (aka Damon genius Albarn). But overall I loved it, laughed out loud plenty at his antics (jesus he can still drink!) and am suitably impressed with his dedication to getting back into his Britpop Pants!!

[Swee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Alex previous two releases and loved his writing style, I was so looking forward to his third one when I heard there was more in the works. Very cool to hear about happens behind the scenes at Feastival and the most recent Blur album release and tour. What a legend Alex is.

[Annabel Frazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. I don’t even rate Blur that much – although I was a student in the Nineties and there for Britpop at its height, I was more into the disco revival then, and now that my teenage children are discovering Britpop for themselves, I prefer the Oasis back catalogue. But I’ve always had time for Alex James. I admire a polymath – as well as playing the bass guitar, he loves classical music, clearly reads widely, and can make cheese – and I also like his writing style, which is funny, thoughtful and occasionally lyrical about food, nature or music, and manages to be self-deprecating without false modesty.

James’s previous memoir Bit Of A Blur was enjoyable but inevitably focused on the excesses of fame. This second book is a more quietly reflective story of a year (2024) in which he unexpectedly found himself combining his farming with a massive global festival tour. Because the book has a simple chronological structure, there’s lots about the changing seasons and weather, easily observed on a farm, which I really liked. There’s probably less about the inside track on being in a mega-band touring the world than most people would want, but I didn’t mind that. James comes across as genuinely devoted to his family and passionate about running a farm – it’s clearly hard work and he could have simply spent his Blur millions on a big house and lots of holidays.

I'd read more books about farming and family life by James- it's even tempted me to go to his annual food and music festival, Feastival.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I reviewed Alex’s first autobiography by saying if his wife ever moved on I would be happy to take her place. Still applies. Never knew much about Blur, but I’m charmed by Alex’s ability to shape his life and thoroughly enjoy it.

This second autobiography covers the year of Blur’s reunion, but it is more about day-to-day life on the farm he bought from Blur’s success and has nurtured ever since. Through the pages he comes across as an easy-going and upbeat employer, husband, father, band member. No angsting about resurrected the super group after a very long hiatus. Just goes on a diet, does the necessary exercise, shows up and falls into line.

He’s a natural stort-teller & it was a pleasure to listen to James’ own voice relating his jam-packed year.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 327 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

One of my fave bands growing up was @blurofficial I could listen to their songs on repeat and The Universal never failed or fails to give me all the feels.

My two fave members were of course Damon and the adorable Alex.

I enjoyed this one, especially since I listened to the audiobook (read by him) and read along.

#book327of350 #amreading #britpop #tbrpile #blur instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic bookchallenge2025 reviews lovebooks

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life extraordinary.

If you’re in any doubt, or you’re reading this as a Blur fan, or even a cheese lover, this is one of the most brilliantly entertaining memoirs that I have ever, or might ever, read. The stories told are not just funny, right from the desk of either father or son Amis, but they’re such wonderfully insightful glimpses into the life of someone who cannot help but indulge in every marvellous pleasure on offer wherever he can.

There’s so much to celebrate about someone who works hard, and then settles back to enjoy the kingdom he has built . . . for about 5 seconds, before going again.

Excellent. It’s irresistible.

[Lars B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

James har flere jern i ilden end selv de mest foretagsomme og entrepenante iværksættere. Læg dertil fem børn og et rockband med en verdensturné og en pladeindspilning forude og tegningen er der til en nedsmeltning. Over et år fører Blurs bassist en krønike over livet som bondemand, bassist og feastivalarrangør og det er skrevet med stort overskud og humør. Det er ikke en biografi, man læser for at få indblik i intern strid i et band med en ubestridt leder, ej heller bekendelser om knas med fruen, for James overkommer det hele med en uovervindelig esprit og livslyst.

[Justin Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a little bit difficult to swallow at times. The account of a pop stars daily life, where money appears to be no object,and everything seems to be done in excess just grated really.

Don't get me wrong there were many interesting moments in this book which kept me going until the end, but it did just feel like a snapshot of a person who lives out a life that is very far removed to what most people can ever expect to experience.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in the library as I've been plunged back into the world of Blur thanks to my son becoming a huge fan and getting into all their music. This book is a great little insight into Alex James's place in the band and his ridiculous family life. He's a fun writer, and his admiration and love for his bandmates is really touching.

[Peyton Marek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book so much and finished it in one day. Alex is a beautiful storyteller and an enigma! I will be going to his Feastival!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an odd joy! Thanks, Alex!

[Yuliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex - you remain a charming man. But I wanted more about the friendships.

[Jonathan Budd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madness! Crazy hedonistic nonsense.

[Veronica Flowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit hard to relate to (not being a rich English hedonist) but funny. I really enjoyed the Blur tidbits, but there really wasn't much.

[Tim Armitage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming in a kind of self-indulgent way.

[Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would find this interesting but he just got on my nerves

[Thibault2000 · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a repellent individual...

[Kelly Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice amble through a chaotic year

[sickbobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with the chain smoking and the too fine life in the classical English countryside, it’s easy to get over the jealousy and be happy for Alex James and his place in life. From his loving family, living off and succeeding with the hard work he put on his farm, his hometown festival, and Blur’s unexpected and much loved comeback, 2023, the year that the book covers, was a great year for James even by his standards. Part diary but also part memoir on possibly the final hurrah for Blur, James shares a lot of lessons: cheese, English sparkling wine, and the rejuvenating miracles of a holiday. Amongst all the things he writes about, the most important is that he is a man knowing that he’s living in the good days before they become the good ol’ days.