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In the absence of new music from Peter Gabriel, the faithful
must turn elsewhere to find their musical genius. The obvious
recommendation is to turn to Joseph Arthur, who has released
a handful of brilliant records over the past few years, which
is more than we can say for Mr. Gabriel. The same kernel of Gabriel's
musical genius exists in the music of Joseph Arthur, but tinged
with a more psychotic and less distinctly focused edge. On Our
Shadows Will Remain the production is amazingly crisp and
sparkling, each instrument and sound neatly resides in its carefully
placed niche. The songs are lush without feeling overcrowded;
orchestrations of strings sitting docilely next to heavily distorted
drum loops and angsty passages.
From the minimalist and short opening downbeat mood of "In
Ohio", the listener is immediately set on a road of emotional
duress. "Can't Exist" is as near to a perfect radio
single as any song that has been released in the past ten years,
with its vocals highly reminiscent of the salad days of Josh
Rouse, and a uniquely light pop vibe that trades off easily
with distorted guitars and an eerily haunting tension. "Stumble
And Pain" darkens the mood quite a bit, relying on shadowy
vocals and sonic wonder reminiscent of early 90's Nine Inch
Nails. The soft strings and oddly harmonized vocals of "Echo
Park" seem to call out to the listener to pay special attention
to the peaceful, quiet passages in life, which seem few and far
between. And then we are reminded of the frailty of the human
condition on "Even Tho", which drops us almost haphazardly
into the frenetic pace of "Puppets".
Each song that creates the beautiful sonic palette of Our
Shadows Will Remain maintains its own distinct character while
inexplicably blending with its discordant neighbors to produce
a perfectly balanced listening experience. There is a story to
be found in this musical journey - a story of you and me and every
person around us, everyday. That is the magic that has set apart
musical brilliance since the inception of rock'n'roll. That is
the genius of Joseph Arthur.
-David DeVoe
Track Listing
1. In Ohio
2. Can't Exist
3. Stumble And Pain
4. Devil's Broom
5. Echo Park
6. Even Tho
7. Puppets
8. Wasted
9. Failed
10. I Am
11. A Smile That Explodes
12. Leave Us Alone
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Joseph
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