Jaywalker

Josh Joplin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Eleven Thirty
• ASIN: B000A8AX9U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,201 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still An Undiscovered Talent, August 30, 2005

By 

J. Sorensen "JS" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jaywalker (Audio CD)

Josh Joplin has music history in him. He is, simply put, a throwback to the days when the best folk musicians mixed personal observations with memorable musical hooks. There may be some that want him to be a great commerical success, but I don't really think that is what is in the cards for him. He continues to write songs that are more close to home - Brooklyn and Manhattan namely - and that are very personal. Lacking the wider appeal of projecting a commercial video image, the people who really appreciate his musical gifts and raw musicality will continue to follow him; it will be a shame for those that miss out. With that, for any newcomers to his music, I would first recommend a listen to "The Future That Was," and then "Useful Music" before a first impression of "Jaywalker." That's not to say that "Jaywalker" is a disappointment, in fact, it contains some of his best work. The string of 8 songs that begins with "One Becomes Two" and ends with "Empire State" flows so well together. It also sounds like Josh has improved as a singer - the moods shift from "A Hard Year" to "World on a Shoestring" to "Arms to Hold Me" to "Empire State" so well. It also appears that he is more comfortable with himself as an artist - he doesn't appear to be trying so hard this time around. "Arms To Hold Me" is an example of how great Josh can be - it is simply one of his best songs. Like much of "Jaywalker," it represents the folkier side of Josh Joplin, and that is not such a bad thing when many are trying to sound like the commercial stylings of U2.
One thing Josh Joplin could do more of is tour. Whether that is a reflection of his working out this latest release or just his monthly schedule, more people should have the opportunity to hear him play (with harmonica included). His humorous antecdotes between songs are often worth the price of the ticket by themselves.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great balance, November 5, 2006

By 

John F. Bauer III (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jaywalker (Audio CD)

I became a fan of Josh Joplin Group when I was idly flipping channels and caught the video for Useful Music's "Camera One". I was hooked. Useful Music was very enjoyable to listen to with only a few songs I find myself hitting the forward button to skip. I purchased The Future that Was as soon as it came out hoping to find Josh Joplin improving on a theme. It was ok ... it lasted a few round in the CD player prior to being replaced by something else. I rarely return to it. But when I ran across Jaywalker, I thought I would give it a try. I'm hooked again. Josh Jolpin has matured significantly with this release. A rare CD where I hit play on the first track and don't pick up the remote until the cd stops on its own. Each song flows smoothly right into the next. He must live in New York for practically each song includes a reference to elements of live in New York City. I live in Cleveland, but travel to New York City periodically for work. I don't truly identify with the feeling of living with 2 million people, but the feelings are inherent to all late 20s, early 30s folks.

In short, if you are looking for something intelligent but not too deep, lyrics that are smart yet not overtly complex, melodies that catch you the first listen, stay with you through the day and don't get old by the 20th, 30th listen then get this CD. Of course, if you are/were ever a Josh Joplin fan ... this CD is a must ... best work so far.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Upon Further Review, August 24, 2005

By 

BJ Fraser (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jaywalker (Audio CD)

I reviewed this album shortly after I bought it almost two years ago, but since that time this album has really grown on me. It's a great, great album if you like folk/indie-pop with smart lyrics that actually mean something.

This is Josh Joplin's first (and probably last) album without the Group and while it is a little more folky in the sound, especially than "The Future That Was" by JJG, it's just as good as "Useful Music." The album starts off with the catchy "Mr. New Year's Day" and goes on from there with songs about love, loss, living in New York City, and of course the son of the dry cleaning king of Baltimore.

As mentioned before this has more of a folky sound but it's not just Mr. Joplin strumming an acoustic guitar. There are a variety of instruments that come into play to make for some rich, engaging songs.

Overall, I highly recommend this album.