JOSH JOPLIN

Jaywalker

2005-12-22

Jaywalker is an intriguing departure for the Joplin. Opening track "Mr. New Years Day" is an atypically spirited piece of mature pop/rock, and "Pilgrim's Progress" kicks off with a vaguely Revolver-like blast of trippy guitar. There's an overall sense throughout the album that if Michael Penn were less congenitally mopey, he would sound very much like this, although the Pernice Brothers and Crowded House are also good touchstones, the latter especially on the synth-daubed waltz-time reverie "Empire State," which features an exceedingly Neil Finn-like bridge. Joplin's folk-rock tunes fit the more pop-oriented arrangements nicely, giving the album a bright sheen that doesn't sound cluttered. While it's not a major leap from the Josh Joplin Group albums, Jaywalker is an encouraging move into a new musical direction. –AMG excerpt

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 05/2006

    Bitter:Sweet
    The Mating Game

  • reviewed 11/2013

    Toad The Wet Sprocket
    New Constellation

  • reviewed 10/2008

    AQUALUNG
    Words and Music

  • reviewed 07/2007

    Various Artists
    The Dialogue Music CD 2007, Volume 8

  • reviewed 02/2005

    Alana Davis
    Surrender Dorothy

  • reviewed 07/2014

    ROCKIN' JASON D. WILLIAMS
    HILLBILLIES AND HOLY ROLLERS

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.