Customer Reviews

Almost Honest

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Amost Honest is a solid second effort from Josh Kelley. While some might consider this album to be more "pop", I find Josh to have encompased a more soulful, rock sound this time around. Almost Honest is one of those records you pop into the cd player in your car and just drive, or just put on at home for a chill day or a BBQ with friends. Right out of the gate, Walk Fast hits you with you some soul, I was immediately boping my head. This is a great album for hardcore Josh Kelley fans and new arrivals to his sound.

Josh Kelley's cd Almost Honest is one of the best I've heard in awhile. He has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. I know its on heavy repeat in my apartment!

This is just a quick response to those reviewers who completely blasted the last cut on the CD, "Lydia." I think it is very different from the rest of Josh's music in that it's not lively and fun, BUT it is also one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard, bar none. It's gorgeous, haunting, and lovely. I'd have bought the CD for this cut alone. Give it a chance and judge for yourself.

Josh's sophomore album "Almost Honest" is a wonderful blend of Josh's influences. His Jazz Gospel and Funk influences are evident in hard-hitting tracks like Hard Times Happen (my personal favorite) and Only You. Other tracks like Walk Fast, Lover Come Up and Love is Breaking My Heart at the very least will get you to tap your feet, perhaps even nod your head. True to his Southern upbringing, 20 Miles to Georgia throws in a little country flavor. The title track Almost Honest is a gorgeous pop ballad that combines his smooth and soulful vocals with beautiful background vocals (props to Darwin Johnson and Dave Yaden) and completely honest lyrics. He displays his skills as a collaborator, being the co-writer for all of the songs on the album along with Darwin Johnson, Dave Yaden and Joe Firstman, to name a few. Overall, the album leaves you with the sensation of releasing a satisfied sigh as if the songs were exactly what you wanted to hear.

This CD is phenominal. His voice matured so much since is first CD and he started exploring with blues and way more upbeat fun music. this CD is great for all music lovers, especially people who can get into anything blues. Simply put, a must buy.

Loosen up y'all. I just listen to music, and why does nobody ever say their favorite music is Pop anyway? Pop sure has gotten a bad name. Wanna be different? Next time somebody asks you what your favorite music is, say Pop! Personally, I like this one much better than his first CD. I would categorize this as adult contemporary. Here's the breakdown:
10/10 - Walk Fast (The next single. Best radio friendly song here)
5/10 - Only You (Lame song; didn't do himself justice by releasing this song to the radio first)
7.5/10 - Love is Breaking My Heart
7/10 - Almost Honest (Slows the tempo down here)
7.1/10 - Didn't Hear That from Me (...And picks it right up)
8.5/10 - 20 Miles to Georgia (really like the last minute of this song the best)
8.9/10 - Lover Come Up (George Benson like "do,do,do's" & Joss Stone like "Baby")
3/10 - Shameless Heart (Reminds me of a Chris Isaak type song, but all his high pitched woo,woo,woo's gets old and annoying real fast - I suppose you'll either love or hate this song)
9.5/10 - Too Good To You (This should have been the first song released, and a good follow-up to Amazing)
8/10 - I Don't Mind Singing (The ah,ah,ah's work much better than his woo,woo,woo's, but becomes repetitive after awhile, otherwise this would have been the best song. Josh notes in his Rhapsody playlist that he just loves this song, and is willing to take the slack for including it!)
10/10 - Hard Times Happen (It's a great song, but if I was at an intersection with the windows rolled down, I would definitely lower the volume, but then crank it up around the midpoint of the song. It's definitely the best toe tapping song on the CD, and it's got great piano and great soul)
1/10 - Lydia (What? This song just blows, and doesn't fit at all)

Well, if you add it all up and divide by the denominator, you get a great album. Sure there are some songs that really suck, but there are some really great tunes too! I do agree it's really polished, but overall it's a very good CD. I hope his next effort is less polished. Cheers!

I found this to be a GREAT CD. Sure, it's a lot more "polished" than his last release - "For the Ride Home" - and it may even be a bit "pop"-ier... but I still think it shows great spirit.

The music has great soul which comes from great piano work which follows his guitar rhythms seemlessly. Likewise, there are many different "flavors" on this CD... there's some faster more upbeat songs, as well as a few slower ones which may take some getting used to.

Overall, I think this is a VERY VERY good release. Certainly worth having in your collection!