Josh Weller: Push EP
Josh Weller: Push EP
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Monday, 27, Apr 2009 07:57
PureGroove, out May 4th.
In a nutshell.
Fun. Energetic. Off-kilter. Witty. Venomous.
What's it all about?
Four songs that show off this innovative artist's tin-pan-alley style and delightfully cynical lyrics in all their quirky glory.
Who's it by?
Josh Weller is a unique artist whose career spans less than a decade and is immediately recognisable by his bowtie, vertical shock of black hair and Buddy Holly-esque fashion tastes. Although still skirting the outskirts of the indy-accoustic scene, his debut single Pretty Girls in 2006 found him a loving audience and respect from London music press, which through further singles, videos and live gigs, has been growing steadily ever since.
As an example.
"There's a lack of iron in her blood so she wears a metal cross 'round her neck/Her soul's a skinhead seaside thug and her heart's a broken down discothèque."
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
This EP itself will not make a major splash on the international music landscape. This is not due particularly to the quality of the songs or the integrity of the artist, but because it is simply too small a release from a practically unknown artist. What this EP does show, however, is a singer/songwriter with the potential to grow into a cult favourite at the very least and possibly a respected alternative artist to be compared to the likes of Tom Waits and Morrissey. One day.
So is it any good?
Josh Weller's loveable, if forced, persona comes across very well in every song on this EP and it is this adherence to the style he has created for himself that drives each song home. Looking at Josh Weller, you could be forgiven for thinking that he is an artist with whom the image comes first and the music is secondary, but even if that is the case the music is certainly vibrant enough to match his garish style and Eraserhead hair. The songs Monster and Tough Luck in Love give an idea of Weller's sharp wit and acidic way with words as his expressive but somewhat fragile voice weaves its honest way through themes of jealousy and self-deprecation, always coming back to an equal fascination and frustration with the fairer sex.
The title song, Push, is an energetic and romping display of Weller's tin-pan-alley style melodies and instrumentation. Plinky-plonky piano, bouncy, bluesy bass and 50s rock 'n' roll style drumming compliment the pulse of Weller's singing, which is one moment rapid-fire bop and the next smooth and melodic ballad. At times Weller does have the annoying tendency to repeat lyrical hooks ad nauseum and call it a chorus or bridge, which has become all too common in contemporary indy music, but the energy of such moments and, for that matter, the whole of the EP, are sure to move some bodies and nod some heads. As a whole, this EP is immensely enjoyable and hopefully indicative of some excellent work yet to come from this exciting and quirky artist.
8/10
Jim Dixon