RIYL: Greg Laswell, The Weepies, John Mayer
If Jousha Radin’s latest album, The Rock and the Tide, were a film, it could easily be branded a chick flick. Radin’s heartfelt songs and whispery (if somewhat effete) vocals convey sensitivity and earnestness that some ladies love from men they consider just friends. That’s not to say that Radin is like that in his personal life, but in his songs he certainly fits that persona.
The album is a mix of mid-tempo songs and ballads that are punctuated with some upbeat tunes that certainly get one’s head nodding. “Nowhere to Go,” “The Ones with the Light,” and “We Are Only Getting Better” certainly have energy, but the songs lack the right pop hooks to make them memorable – and they don’t have the right lyrical content to connect on an emotional level.
One of the strongest tracks is a “reprise” from Radin’s 2008 album, Simple Times. “Brand New Day” was a solid song to begin with, but it’s a bit of a puzzler why he included it on this album. Equally solid is “Streetlight,” the lead single from the album. It’s the most radio-friendly of the songs on The Rock and the Tide, and one that won’t disappoint his fans.
So, if you’ve worn out your John Mayer albums and you’re hankering for some new sensitive male singer-songwriters, you might take a chance on Joshua Radin’s latest release, but the odds are good that while you won’t be completely disappointed, you won’t be all that impressed, either. (Mom & Pop Music 2010)
