Customer Reviews

Could We Survive

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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In advance of his seventh LP due in early August, the ambitious, mercurial singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur is releasing four EPs over the next four months, beginning with this one, Could We Survive. It's difficult to assign a single catch-all term to Arthur's music since he's run through a number of different genres since his first pair of albums, which contained world music and electronica influenced folk rock, and especially since he's gone indie on his own label, Lonely Astronaut (also the name of his sometime band since 2006, albeit in a plural form, natch). He dabbled in psychedelic and acid rock on his last release, Let's Just Be, a progression hinted at on his first Lonely Astronaut release, Nuclear Daydream. Here on Could We Survive, however, he's in a more introspective, often stripped down acoustic folk mode, with a mood akin to "In The Sun," "Honey And The Moon" and "Redemption's Son." The EP begins with "Rages Of Babylon," a anti-war song told from the perspective of an American soldier going overseas, who heartbreakingly wonders "Will my family remember me?" It's one of Arthur's best, most moving songs. Other highlights include the title track, a quiet, whispery ballad, and the final track, "King Of Pavement," a folky tune with a warm, psychedelic feel. Reportedly, the next EP, Crazy Rain, due April 15th, will have more of a techno sound, and as for the two EPs after that, who knows? However, with the arrival of Could We Survive, it's clear this is the beginning of a very good year for Joseph Arthur fans.

Could We Survive is a strong Ep. Any friend of good songwriting should pick this up straight away... The songs on the record have some real light within , personally I'm into all of them. This Ep really grows on you, the songs have a real depth as with any of the best work of Arthur . Been lately really digging Rages of Babylon & King Of the PAvement . . .

Joseph Arthur was unknown to me until I heard his music from an HBO show. When I heard the music I knew immediately that this Artist had something new and genuine. When I got the "Could We Survive" CD, it was all what I expected and more. The lyrics and music meld together in a new and unique way. The particular song I am drawn to is "Walk Away". This song is so profound yet so simple, it simply expresses the idea of a loved one who has "walked away" and then invites the listener to look at themselves and examine their place in the universe. The song can be interpeted in different ways, but again the listener has to simply place themselves in the song and let the music carry you away with the lyrics telling you a message of grounding yourself. The whole album is of this wonderful and unique experience. Joseph Arthur has himself "together" in order to create such a collection of musical art. Thank you Joseph Arthur.

This release lacks the drama and emotional firepower of his earlier discs. A tad slow at times. HOWEVER, all the ingredients for the classic Joseph Arthur sound are here. Wonderful vocals, (clear, yet nasally ) and of course the delightfully droning wall of sound. If you are big on Joseph Arthur, this needs to be in your collection. For the un-initiated, I would direct you to one of his earlier full length productions such as " Come To Where I'm From " or "Big City Secrets". For me...It's all good !

Not too long ago my girlfriend introduced me to Joseph Arthur. I had heard Honey and the Moon and Speed of Light lyrics spill gloriously from her rough lips many a time. I finally downloaded Redemption's Son, heard Dear Lord, and was instantly hooked much the same as when I first heard M. Ward. I listen to NPR, and they introduced a series of EPs he will be releasing over the next few months. Shadows of Lies is my favorite from this EP. If the rest of the EPs sound anything like this, I will look forward to owning them all, including the album coming out at the end of the summer...Very versatle, eclectic rocker. I truly see what Peter Gabriel saw in him...and an artist also, he had an opening in New York recently called The Museum of Modern Arthur... Could We Survive is Highly Recommended

This long-awaited release will not disappoint Joseph Arthur's fans. His voice, mixed and layered over and over again (he harmonizes with himself) creates quite a gorgeous sound. The music, to me, can only be described as alive and organic, like the sound of rain. Listening to this collection I feel as if I am a character in a Cameron Crowe movie (the heroine, of course). Yes, it is that sublime and yes, you should own it if you love listening to this artist.