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 05/2017

    Chris Murphy
    THE TINKER'S DREAM

  • reviewed 09/2006

    John Ralston
    Needle Bed

  • reviewed 09/2010

    ADMIRAL RADLEY
    I Heart California

  • reviewed 03/2014

    YOUNG THE GIANT
    Mind Over Matter

  • reviewed 05/2009

    CAMERA OBSCURA
    My Maudlin Career

  • reviewed 05/2009

    Jill Sobule
    California Years

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.