Customer Reviews

First Between 3rd & 4th

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most people, like myself, were drawn to this artist through the song "winter" featured in a Season 3 episode of 'Scrubs' on NBC. Once I heard the song and felt the emotional punch to the gut it delivered, I knew that the rest of the music this artist had to offer had to be as moving and powerful as this song. On "First Between 3rd and 4th" Joshua Radin makes good on this assumption.

Since the 'Scrubs' episode aired the song "Winter" was renovated slightly (from it's "demo" stage) to a more polished and produced ballad. But don't let that fool you, the song is as amazing now as the first time I heard it.

The rest of the songs on this album read like a peek into the mind of the artist: the songs are minimalist in arrangement, the lyrics spare no emotion or feeling. Radin opens up his heart through these songs and invites the listener to take a ride on the journey.

At times, he invokes the spirits of Elliot Smith and Nick Drake through his acoustic playing and breathy vocals. The result is one of those cd's that you want to pop in on a cool, rainy night with a glass of wine, a comfy chair and a blanket to listen to.

My only compliant on this album was that at six songs...it's too short. You just start settling in on the cd when it fades out, leaving you wanting more.

Of course, maybe that's a good thing.

I work in the music biz - a label - i won't mention which one here though. i heard of him through zach braff's blog on the garden state site. anyway, i just listened to joshua radin's EP entitled 'First between 3rd and 4th" and i have to say, i am in love with this guy. his voice is reminicent of nick drake, elliot smith and paul simon - and his songwriting is incredible. perfect. i don't know what else i can say except go out and buy this guy's record and catch his live shows while he's still somewhat unknown because it won't be long before his shows are in huge venues, sold out for days. if you need a record to throw on while sitting by a fire, drinking a glass of good red wine with some close friends, i can't think of one better to do that with. maybe nick drake's 'pink moon." but it's a close call...

This CD is by far one of my most played and is perfect for these melancholy days of winter. These songs tinged with love and loss cannot help but resonate within us all-an effect that is only intensified by Joshua's amazing voice.

My only real gripe with the album is that it only has six songs on it- this is defiantly not enough to fulfill my Joshua Radin fix but it is a very good beginning to what I am sure will be a long career!

After watching the powerful Scrubs episode last year that ended with Winter, I frantically searched the internet to figure out who the singer was. I quickly found I was not the only person that was moved by the song. When I finally located Josh's website, I was amazed to find that he had no recordings for sale. Finally, months after the show aired, he came out with First Between 3rd & 4th. I bought it on the first day it was available.

I fully expected the CD, like those of so many other artists you hear for the very first time, to have the one hit packed onto a CD with a bunch of mediocre tracks. While I was surprised by how little material is on the CD (it's like 20 - 25 minutes), what is there, is quality. A great album overall. Winter isn't even my favorite song on it, and I love Winter.

Now, if we can only get Josh to come to Minneapolis, I am sure he could sell a lot more CDs.

his songs are captivating. you can't help but fall in love with his voice. winter is my all time favorite. he reminds me a lot of elliot smith who i thought... god bless his soul, was amazingly talented, and josh has that similar talent. i'm looking forward to hearing more from josh! his voice is truly unforgettable.

Heard one of Joshua's songs featured on an episode of Scrubbs and was blown away. Did some research to find out who the artist/singer was. I ordered the CD from his website. He's amazing! One of the best voices/songwriting I've heard in a very long time.

I just got this CD in the mail this morning and I've played it about 5 times already. It's beautiful...his voice is amazing. I can't wait for more!

Heard about this artist while recently in NY and had the opportunity to hear him perform at the Bitter End. Bought the CD and it never leaves my CD changer. Beautiful lyrics, arrangement and voice. Highly recommended!!

Joshua Radin's debut album "First between 3rd and 4th" takes anyone with an acoustic preference deep into its melodic grip and leaves those who don't wondering what they were thinking. His voice though often compared with the likes of Nick Drake and Elliot Smith, maintains a shining, original purity and even the most avid "sing-a-longer" will defer to its unique quality. His lyrics are woven together with a poetic lucidity and intelligence, giving the listener access to a world where human emotions are explored rather than exploited; including some interesting takes on the most basic of those, love. Simply put, "First between 3rd and 4th" has succeeded in prying open a door long encrusted with songwriting hacks' cliches, and left us with a clear view of the other side.

I first discovered the song, "Winter", in an episode of Scrubs and was absolutely floored by how the song not only emphasized the action within the scene, but gave it 10 times more depth than it otherwise would have had. Whoever the Music Supervisor on Scrubs was at that time was brilliant. Some may say that Josh is a sell out for putting his music into soundtracks...not me. If it means he gets an audience for his music, I'm all for him getting such positive advertisement. In my humble opinion, Josh has more talent in one finger than many artists out there today and I truly hope his sound doesn't fade.

The other songs on the album are also amazing - it really is difficult to pick one that stands out from the rest. If you're like me and grew up with The Smiths, you'll definitely find his take on "Girlfriend in a Coma" quite interesting and unique. "Don't Look Away" is another one that will have you singing along in the car...

Oh, and a word of advice...check out not only Scrubs, but also Grey's Anatomy for some really amazing music. (Grey's used the same song, "Winter", in one of their episodes...gotta love originality!) Of course, TV is not normally where I find new sources of music, but it's almost as though the new breed of Music Supervisors coming up through the ranks are being given more range to test the waters with new artists - exciting and interesting artists who wouldn't be heard otherwise (and who have a good sound).

Sorry for rambling. But if you can track this one down for your collection, do it. It's one of those albums you wish would just continue...alas, it's just a taste, and I know I'm counting the days to his next release.

Take care, and thanks for reading.