Could We Survive (Dig) [EP]

Joseph Arthur

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 18, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 18, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: LONELY ASTRONAUT
• ASIN: B0013LKZI2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,095 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The first of five scheduled 2008 releases for Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Joseph Arthur, the six-song EP Could We Survive suggests a singer/songwriter teetering on the brink of Bob Dylan, circa 1963, but not in the sense of simple artist comparison. It is in the prolific nature in which he writes songs--the lead track "Rages of Babylon" is Iraq's version of "Masters of War"--and splashes them about a blossoming fan base. Arthur's not about cluttering up his songs with cosmic arrangements and one-too-many instruments, choosing instead to let the lyrics and melody share the guiding points. "Morning Cup" coasts on a gorgeous riff of acoustic guitar. Its love-craving storyline serves as a lead-in to the cheerful, organ-led "Shadow of Lies," where Arthur contemplates a relationship, admitting," in the dead of night there's no place I can hide." A quieter, more solemn mood creeps into the title song and the reverberating "Walk Away," wrapping up the record in a tidy 21 minutes. And as the final strum of "King of the Pavement" ends the record, it's encouraging to know it won't be long until the next one. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could We Survive EP Beginning Of Very Good Year For Joseph Arthur Fans, March 23, 2008

By	RadioNDN "RadioNDN" (Midwestern USA) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph returns with a great : ) , March 29, 2008

By	Jrvikoski "uinuvavalo" (FINLAND) - See all my reviews

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 . . .

5.0 out of 5 stars New genre for imaginative song writing, September 24, 2009

By	Duane W. Penske "Pen Artske" (Vesta, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.