I’ve followed Joseph Arthur’s career long enough to know that a few bad releases don’t mean the end to a great songwriter. Albeit, I was supremely underwhelmed by his last two works Nuclear Daydream and Let’s Just Be, but that doesn’t negate the output of unmistakable favorites like Our Shadows Will Remain and Redemption’s Son.

Arthur is at his best, both on record and in a live setting, when he’s on his own. Providing his own balance of looping and song arrangement has allowed for him to flourish in the times I’ve seen him solo (Cafe Montmartre and Luther’s Blues), and flounder with his band The Lonely Astronauts (High Noon Saloon). So with slight trepidation and low expectations I took a spin through his recent release, Could We Survive, his first of five releases this year, and found myself happy to have one of my favorite songwriters back, or at least sounding closest to what I find the most enjoyable.

A sweet little six song offering, gone before it ever grows old. I can only hope the plethora of upcoming releases sound similar and not a songwriter cleaning out his notebook. For now, I’m just going to enjoy this one. First single “Rages Of Babylon” for free and legal download below.

Photo: alterna2
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Myspace: Joseph Arthur
MP3: Joseph Arthur – “Rages Of Babylon”

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