Album Details

• Artist: Patrick Joseph
• EP:
Relics
• Label: indie
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: mark_morton on 2011-12-23

Where the studio album, textured and hued with DIY recording effects and isolated intimacy, sounds like a very personal instrospection, RELICS opens up Joseph's sound to a brand of inclusion, allowing the listener to become a part of the tale. That is to say, while we were looking in on Joseph's world on ANTIQUES, the broad-stroking vibrancy of RELICS breaks down that wall and invites us along for the ride.

Right from "Untangled," a John Mayer meets Ari Hest up-tempo ditty, Joseph's spirit soars through an obstacle course of emotions, with us, the listeners, riding shotgun. The layered guitars careen through the railroad tracks of the mind, ultimately delivering their payload in pleasing earworm-iness.

Even the more somber cuts "feel" more positive in this setting; as though Joseph is stating that every trial of life yields some kind of silver lining. "Don't Believe It," stands tall, taking in the fresh air of independence despite its bluesy drunkenness. And "Arsonist Blues" blooms in near-angelic beauty in stark contrast of Joseph's strained, pained croon.

This is the thinly-veiled dichotomy of Patrick Joseph's music - while his lyrics and vocal performance can appear bitter or downtrodden, the music is so pure and whimsical that it will ultimately leave you with a smile on your face.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2012-01-21 dtallerico Said:

Patrick Joseph deserves a ten star rating. Relics is awesome!
Rating: 10/10