I wasn't really expecting to like it, I don't know why I just didn't think I would. However, I was pleasantly surprised and a little blown away by the album. It's unique and Josh Record has clearly worked on creating his own sound that has a lot of atmosphere to it. Listening to the album you can tell that a lot of time and hard work as gone into creating this album. It's a very beautiful sounding album, I find that it's really great to listen to when you're trying to relax, such as before bed, or in the bath or laying in the sun. I've definitely learnt from listening to this album not to judge something before listening to it. Personally, I think that from this, Josh Record should get his big break.
I adore the opening track 'Bones' I just think it's so beautiful and it has a sort of alternative pop sound to it (along with the entire of his album), the song is also available for free download at the moment on the UK iTunes, so check it out if you haven't already. I haven't heard anything like it before, it builds into a crescendo with the music, but Josh's voice stays smooth and simple before singing out the final line which stays with you.
The second track is 'Pictures in the Dark' which is another of my favourites. It has the same sort of alternative sound to it, but the sound is a little more optimistic, and the easiest song to dance too (I imagine Mark Foster - of Foster The People - dancing here, look it up) if that's what you like in your music. 'Alaska' is another gorgeous sounding song. Its slightly haunting and it gives me shivers (that's not just me thinking of Alaska), it's quite a breathy song if that makes sense. It's hard to describe but its completely beautiful.
'For Your Love' has a bit more of a blues vibe to it. Its one of the stand outs for me, it's a little bit different to the rest of the album. 'I would do anything for your love' is a lyric in the chorus, I just think it makes you think about the people in your life and who you would do anything for them. I think on twitter I said that I was obsessed with 'Find Her Way To Me' it just reminds me exactly where I am in my life at the moment. It's that in-between time before you start dating someone and when you're wondering if they care about you as much as you care for them. 'Wonder', I think is very similar to 'Find Her Way To Me'. It's telling a similar story about wanting someone so much. I like the contrast between his higher register for the majority of the song and then the lower sound he uses for the bridge. It's the first time we see this side of his voice.
'Wide Awake' I've been playing non-stop (I've probably said that about all the songs so far, but honestly if you listen to it, there's not a bad song at all). I particularly love the chorus of this song, and I think it's a easy song to relate to. Whether you're the person who hurt someone you didn't mean to or you're the person who has been hurt. I think it's a great song for closure. The music for 'The War' is gorgeous. If I could I would listen to the opening of the song over and over, it's beautiful.
'Winter Comes' tends to be the track that as soon as it comes on, I click on my iPod to find out the title every time that I listen to it. Just because I wanted to remember what it was for this post. I love the end of the song it sounds much more acoustic to the rest of the album. It, also, follows on nicely to 'Belief' which is another one that I constantly check to remember the name of the track. I think this is probably my favourite song on the album (it really is hard to pick, I'm sorry). I like the mix of Record's falsetto and the lower 'oooh's'. I don't know what it is, I just love this song, it makes me think and relax and puts me in a good mood all in one.
'The Beggar In My Heart' the story is what I love. It tells the story of doing anything to keep that person you love in your life and 'not giving up on this love'. It's romantic and beautiful. Finally, 'Dead Tree' completes the album, the song-writing on this album is incredible and this definitely demonstrates that. Again, it has quite a haunting sound to it, but I've been listening to this track an awful lot too.
I cannot recommend this album enough. It makes you think an awful lot about the people who are in your life - at least it did for me. It's haunting and romantic and I can only imagine what I would be like if I ever manage to go to one of his concerts. I would probably be wreck afterwards going through an emotional journey. It's been a while since an album has made me think and completely changed my view on music altogether. There are still a few really good songwriters and musicians out there and Josh Record is definitely one of them.
Check out Josh Record's music video for 'Wide Awake' below:
Have you listened to 'Pillars' yet? What's your favourite track?
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