Big City Secrets

Amazon.com
What you get here is something like World Party with twentysomething angst--a combination that works better than it has any right to. The songs shamble and slouch a little, wrapped up in thrift shop overcoats against the emotional chill, and that's fine, because they talk to you as they bum cigarettes and make their cups of coffee last. Arthur is a talent, and he may well be the first person to have both Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno contributing backking vocals to a debut album. --Chris Nickson

Big City Secrets,Joseph Arthur,Real World,Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

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Big City Secrets

Average customer rating: Joseph Arthur: the best artist there is, that you probably haven't heard of Beautiful Music to Sing Along With Beautiful Moody Music If I could only take three discs to a desert island... great new talent

Big City Secrets Joseph Arthur Manufacturer: Real World ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Come to Where I'm From Redemption's Son Our Shadows Will Remain Nuclear Daydream Vacancy ASIN: B000000HPS Release Date: 1997-03-11

Tracks:

1. Big City Secret
2. Mercedes
3. Mikel K
4. Good About Me
5. Daddy's On Prozac
6. Marina
7. Birthday Card
8. Crying Like A Man
9. Porcupine
10. Dessert
11. Haunted Eyes
12. Bottle Of You

Amazon.com

What you get here is something like World Party with twentysomething angst--a combination that works better than it has any right to. The songs shamble and slouch a little, wrapped up in thrift shop overcoats against the emotional chill, and that's fine, because they talk to you as they bum cigarettes and make their cups of coffee last. Arthur is a talent, and he may well be the first person to have both Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno contributing backking vocals to a debut album. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Joseph Arthur: the best artist there is, that you probably haven't heard of.......2005-07-03

Joseph Arthur grew out of the stable of talent from Peter Gabriel's Real World label. After this, his debut album, he has continued to make three more fantastic albums to this day without loosing any of his original lyrical and musical punch.

To draw comparisons between Joseph Arthur and anyone else is complicated, but in this particular album, he does project a definite Billy Corgan-like quality in his singing, and the overall music also reminds of Smashing Pumpkins at times. However, he retains an inequivocal folk sound throughout all his experimenting with various instruments, and in the midst of his angst-filled lyrical work.

Joseph Arthur constitutes without a doubt one of the best and more versatile artists out there, that you probably haven't heard of (yet). How else can an artist draw Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno to do backing vocals for him, like he does on the harmonica-based track "Mercedes"?

Beautiful Music to Sing Along With.......2003-11-03

I can't stop listening to this CD. The music is beautiful. "Good About Me" and "Haunted Eyes" are both wonderful songs to sing with. The intro. to "Mercedes" is one of my favorite parts of the CD. "Bottle of You" sticks in my mind and heart. Joseph Arthur has a lovely way of expressing emotions and thoughts that people seem to feel a lot.

Beautiful Moody Music.......2001-04-09

This album instantly converted me into a Joseph Arthur fan. The melodies are totally original and the production is refreshing, offering a good mix of electronic and standard rock sounds.

The thing that makes this album stand out though, is the fantastic lyrics. They are sincere, written about Joseph Arthur's personal experiences, rather than attempting to appeal to a huge and anonymous demographic. Topically, they are original perspectives on classic topics such as lost love, depression, anger, and regret. Some of the songs are intensely personal, such as "Daddy's on Prozac". These songs are moody, but less moody overall than his later albums.

This is music for adults, and for anyone looking for great song writing.

If I could only take three discs to a desert island..........1999-08-26

...this would be one of them. Joseph Arthur is a singer/songwriter of the highest rank.

To compare him to Bob Dylan (as I've read in several reviews) does credit to Arthur's lyrical power, but completely ignores his extraordinary ability to fuse subtle electronica with the power of voice and guitar.

Arthur is incontrovertably a creature of the city. His lyrics dig at the inscrutable graveyard of emotions that accompany urban life and relationships.

The entirety of "Big City Secrets" is extremely memorable, meticulously polished with finesse, but retains an uncommon and fiery passion. Highly recommended.

great new talent.......1998-10-29

A near-stunning debut by an impressive new talent. Though it was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World studios and certainly bears his influence in the cloudy, atmospheric production, Arthur is definitely his own man, essaying a unique urban folk music with unusual hooks and passionate vocals. Take a chance on this one - you won't regret it.

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