Customer Reviews

Big City Secrets

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4 star:		(2)
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This album instantly converted me into a Joseph Arthur fan. The melodies are totally original and the production is refreshing, offering a good mix of electronic and standard rock sounds.

The thing that makes this album stand out though, is the fantastic lyrics. They are sincere, written about Joseph Arthur's personal experiences, rather than attempting to appeal to a huge and anonymous demographic. Topically, they are original perspectives on classic topics such as lost love, depression, anger, and regret. Some of the songs are intensely personal, such as "Daddy's on Prozac". These songs are moody, but less moody overall than his later albums.

This is music for adults, and for anyone looking for great song writing.

I discovered this disk by accident. It grabbed my atention because of its Peter Gabriel connection. However, it stands well on its own. Certain of the songs speak of, for want of a better term, Urban Dysfunction. The songs evoke comfortably nostalgic angst and address personal issues of the modern age. There are digressions into atonality that are problematic (Re. Dessert). But overall, this album is a worthy experiment in urban folk music and well worth the buying.

A near-stunning debut by an impressive new talent. Though it was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World studios and certainly bears his influence in the cloudy, atmospheric production, Arthur is definitely his own man, essaying a unique urban folk music with unusual hooks and passionate vocals. Take a chance on this one - you won't regret it.

I can't stop listening to this CD. The music is beautiful. "Good About Me" and "Haunted Eyes" are both wonderful songs to sing with. The intro. to "Mercedes" is one of my favorite parts of the CD. "Bottle of You" sticks in my mind and heart. Joseph Arthur has a lovely way of expressing emotions and thoughts that people seem to feel a lot.

...this would be one of them. Joseph Arthur is a singer/songwriter of the highest rank.

To compare him to Bob Dylan (as I've read in several reviews) does credit to Arthur's lyrical power, but completely ignores his extraordinary ability to fuse subtle electronica with the power of voice and guitar.

Arthur is incontrovertably a creature of the city. His lyrics dig at the inscrutable graveyard of emotions that accompany urban life and relationships.

The entirety of "Big City Secrets" is extremely memorable, meticulously polished with finesse, but retains an uncommon and fiery passion. Highly recommended.

Joseph Arthur grew out of the stable of talent from Peter Gabriel's Real World label. After this, his debut album, he has continued to make three more fantastic albums to this day without loosing any of his original lyrical and musical punch.

To draw comparisons between Joseph Arthur and anyone else is complicated, but in this particular album, he does project a definite Billy Corgan-like quality in his singing, and the overall music also reminds of Smashing Pumpkins at times. However, he retains an inequivocal folk sound throughout all his experimenting with various instruments, and in the midst of his angst-filled lyrical work.

Joseph Arthur constitutes without a doubt one of the best and more versatile artists out there, that you probably haven't heard of (yet). How else can an artist draw Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno to do backing vocals for him, like he does on the harmonica-based track "Mercedes"?

'Big City Secrets' by Joseph Arthur: a Masterpiece Not To Be Missed

Received item very very quickly, thank you.

This album is truly incredible- sung by this extraordinarily talented gentleman, baring his soul for all to see. This singer/song writer's voice is nothing like you have heard before. This is music you will never find anywhere else- it's truly unique. I am amazed at the bravery Arthur has, to show the world his soul. I cannot recommend this album or Joseph Arthur highly enough- it's a truly fantastic journey. You will not be disappointed.