Almost Honest

Josh Kelley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B0009X772W
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,508 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definite Step Up From "For the Ride Home", September 26, 2005

By 

Rudy Palma "The Writing Fiend" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Almost Honest (Audio CD)

Although he scored a Hot AC radio hit with "Amazing" from his 2003 debut album "For the Ride Home," the disc only caused singer/songwriter Josh Kelley's star to rise a smidge, as it only peaked at #155 on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart. Between a lack of substantial advertising, an abundance of John Mayer comparisons, and elevator-ready production by John Alagia, it simply did not contain the ingredients of a smash hit. However, it mirrored a ton of potential for Kelley's further work, and his new release, "Almost Honest," is a definite step up.

After listening to opening selection "Walk Fast" listeners will find that Kelley has a newfound wealth of spring in his step - certainly refreshing after the conspicuous stiffness of his debut. Sounding ready to jump into an impromptu scat as he wraps his voice around the doo-wop inspired melody, he sounds far more excited and lively than he has previously, creating an immediately sunny atmosphere.

Most appropriately follows the funky, hip-shaking lead single "Only You." Although the track has only pierced the upper half of Billboard's Adult Top 40, it has all the makings of a ubiquitous pop radio smash. The fact that it is a collaboration with the Matrix, the ultimate hit-making machine on the pop music scene, may create some cynicism. However, just as they did with Jason Mraz and Liz Phair in 2003, they have not diluted but enhanced Kelley's talent, resulting in a track that deserves to cross him over to the mainstream.

Of course, the record is not levity from top to bottom, as displayed in the slow-burning "Shameless Heart," which Kelley sings with an air of revelation that echoes his state of sheer hopelessness.

"I could ride her curves to the moon/With childlike innocence/Oh, I don't care, I'm being used/I've fallen in her abyss."

Presumably past the self-pity and Häagen-Dazs phase, he immediately follows with "Too Good To You" and abandons that unhealthy relationship.

"You were out, I brought you in out of the weather/You were happy baby, we were getting better and better/Was I too good to you, baby?/Tell me now was I too good to you?"

Elsewhere, he travels back to his hometown in the kitschy "20 Miles to Georgia," yodels to his heart's content on "Love Is Breaking My Heart," defends what is rightfully his in "I Don't Mind Singing" and bittersweetly reminisces of love gone wrong in the rustic title track. To top it all off, "Lover Come Up" and "Hard Times Happen" have sharp hooks that would sound at home emanating from a jukebox in a 50's style restaurant.

Overall, Kelley hit a home run this time around with a much sharper record with a producer better suited to him, not to mention extremely improved vocal performances and songwriting. All he needs now is you to listen.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid CD with an above average amount of good songs..., August 23, 2005

By 

K. Smith (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost Honest (Audio CD)

I think this CD is a good follow-up to his first one. It definitely shows how Josh's music is evolving. I love "For the Ride Home" because it is full of great acoustic guitar and catchy melodies. I have to admit that I do miss the acoustic guitar from that album because this album definitely has a more "polished" sound which involves a lot more electric guitar, drums, and effects (I don't necessarily think of it as an improvement). The melodies are still there and Josh's vocal ability continues to grow as does his skill as a songwriter.

All of the songs are pretty solid and I feel that in time I will grow to enjoy them all, much as I did with his other album. I really liked "Only You" the first time I heard it and it is a great song. "Almost Honest" is another song that I'm sure will be a hit for him. Actually the first five songs are all very good and make this album more than worth the price by themselves. I like most of the other songs as well, but they're almost just icing on the cake.

All in all, I think this is a pretty good CD. It is worth the price and fans of his first album should really enjoy it. I think this album will be even more successful than "For the Ride Home" in the long run, but I do prefer that album to this one so far. "For the Ride Home" took a few listens to really grow on me though and then I couldn't stop listening to it. I have a feeling "Almost Honest" will be very similar in that respect.

P.S. I would LOVE to get my hands on an unplugged/acoustic version of this CD.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard Times do happen, not this time, August 25, 2005

By 

Ebonie Butler "Ebony" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost Honest (Audio CD)

The album is absolutely flawless. It's the first time that I have skipped through any songs on my second listen of the album. When I first started listening to the album after like the first three songs, I said "If this album goes bad after this song I'm gonna be pissed" Lol! I keep saying that after every single song and in no time it was back to Track 1. My anticipation for this album was more than necessary and it's a great buy.

Favorite Songs: Walk Fast, Lover Come Up, Hard Times Happen

The only song I felt icky about was "Shameless Heart" but that's the type of song that grows on you.