The Future That Was

Amazon.com
Perhaps Josh Joplin's greatest gift is his self-awareness. On "Happy at Last," one of the tracks from the Atlanta native's second album, he admits, "I sound like Michael Stipe / I dream like Carl Jung," beating to the punch those detractors who complain that his idiosyncratic adenoidal singing sounds astonishingly like those of the R.E.M. frontman. Whether the startling similarity is an accident of geography or design is immaterial, since it's Joplin's wry self-deprecating lyrics, clever wordplay, and brainy illusions that make you take notice. "I'm not the only cowboy in this one-horse metaphor," he sings in the anxious "I Am Not the Only Cowboy," adding, "I am not the only Caufield catching more than kids." In the space of a single song, Joplin's canny self-awareness curdles into self-absorption; in fact, it would be safe to say he identifies rather closely with J.D. Salinger's most famous character. Like Holden, Joplin not only has a fascination with death--references to the great equalizer are threaded through most of the 13 songs--but he also has quite a problem with growing up. "Time just hates me, that's why it made me an adult," he whines on "Must Be You," returning to a similar theme in "Siddharthas of Suburbia," when he decries, "The future is a stereo that eats your favorite tapes / The soundtrack to your youth cannot be replaced." But despite his raging neuroses, Joplin is a zany storyteller, whether he's writing a love song to his trampoline (where he admits he comes up with some of his best ideas for songs) or reinterpreting the Bible on "The Future That Was." Josh Joplin is a talent to watch. --Jaan Uhelszki

The Future That Was,Josh Joplin,Artemis Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

The Future That Was

Average customer rating:

Eh...So So
Nothing Could Top "Useful Music," but this one comes close
Pretty good follow up
Great CD!
Thomas Edison & Son of Sam

The Future That Was
Josh Joplin
Manufacturer: Artemis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Useful Music
Jaywalker
Best of the Josh Joplin Group
These Beautiful Ghosts
Mr. Lemons

ASIN: B00006IT5W
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

Must Be You
The Wonderful Ones
Listening
Siddharthas of Suburbia
Its Only Entertainment
Dishes
I Am Not The Only Cowboy
Lucky
Trampoline
Fire
Happy At Last
The Future That Was
Wonder Wheel

Amazon.com

Perhaps Josh Joplin's greatest gift is his self-awareness. On "Happy at Last," one of the tracks from the Atlanta native's second album, he admits, "I sound like Michael Stipe / I dream like Carl Jung," beating to the punch those detractors who complain that his idiosyncratic adenoidal singing sounds astonishingly like those of the R.E.M. frontman. Whether the startling similarity is an accident of geography or design is immaterial, since it's Joplin's wry self-deprecating lyrics, clever wordplay, and brainy illusions that make you take notice. "I'm not the only cowboy in this one-horse metaphor," he sings in the anxious "I Am Not the Only Cowboy," adding, "I am not the only Caufield catching more than kids." In the space of a single song, Joplin's canny self-awareness curdles into self-absorption; in fact, it would be safe to say he identifies rather closely with J.D. Salinger's most famous character. Like Holden, Joplin not only has a fascination with death--references to the great equalizer are threaded through most of the 13 songs--but he also has quite a problem with growing up. "Time just hates me, that's why it made me an adult," he whines on "Must Be You," returning to a similar theme in "Siddharthas of Suburbia," when he decries, "The future is a stereo that eats your favorite tapes / The soundtrack to your youth cannot be replaced." But despite his raging neuroses, Joplin is a zany storyteller, whether he's writing a love song to his trampoline (where he admits he comes up with some of his best ideas for songs) or reinterpreting the Bible on "The Future That Was." Josh Joplin is a talent to watch. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Eh...So So.......2004-08-05

I bought this cd based off of other peoples rave reviews on Amazon. While being blown away with the depth and catchiness of "Useful Music", this cd just leaves me with that "I'm eating cold macaroni for the 5th day in a row" type of feeling. Don't get me wrong, if corporate, emulsified rock (Matchbox 20, ect...) type of music is your thing, go right ahead and buy this cd (GOOO!!!), but if you're like me looking to be reinspired by Josh, it's not going to happen with this cd.

update: 1/16/2007 - just found this CD again and listened to it. I don't what happened or if my music taste just changed or whatever, but I'm really rocking to this CD now. Go out and buy it.

Nothing Could Top "Useful Music," but this one comes close.......2004-04-04

I bought Josh Joplin Group's "Useful Music" just after it came out and, needless to say, I LOVED IT!!! You can imagine my excitement when I heard they were releasing another album. I bought it the day I came out and it stayed in my CD player, on play, for 10 straight hours. Because each of JJG's songs is completely different from the next, it's best to look at the CD song by song...

"Must Be You"--This is rare. It seems to be an actual love song by this band. Easy for anyone to relate to. Definately one of the best songs on the CD.

"Wonderful Ones"--Another one easy to relate to especially for any high school/college age student who may not be the most popular person.

"Listening"--JJG slows down a bit here which is nice.

"Sidhartha's of Suburbia"--Very blunt lyrics which is what I have always loved about JJG. Another one of the best songs on the album--probably one of the best the band has ever done.

"It's Only Entertainment"--Kind of a funny song lyric-wise. Not hysterically funny, but there are definately some humorous moments in it. Love this track though.

"Dishes"--Simple but good. I don't like it so much on its own, but it definately adds to the diversity of the songs on the CD.

"I Am Not The Only Cowboy"--Definately my favorite song on this CD. I don't know how to explain it. It's just amazing.

"Lucky"--Perfect JJG. Intelligent lyrics, great sound, another more mellow one, but again, it adds to the blend.

"Trampoline"--Again, more perfect JJG. Witty lyrics, amazing music-just well done all around.

"Fire"--Meh, not as good as the others on the CD, but still a good song.

"Happy At Last"--The opening line is my favorite: "I sound like Michael Stipe..." It seems to be the bands "up yours" to all of the critics that called them an "REM wannabe band." Great lyrics, amazing music. Probably tied with "Cowboy" as the best song on the album.

"The Future that Was"--Good song. Not quite what I'm used to with JJG, but still pretty good. It just goes to show that you can never know what to expect with this band.

"Wonder Wheel"--The final track on the CD. Ends very much the way "Useful Music" did...quiet and simple--except for the alternate version of "I've Changed" at the end of "Useful Music."

All in all, this is a wonderful CD. I would recomend it to anyone who loves Josh Joplin Group and anyone who has never heard of them (which is probably a lot of people).

Pretty good follow up.......2003-12-17

By itself, this is a great CD. It has slick writing, great vocals, and pretty good guitar playing. However, it is very much inferior to Josh Joplin's previous CD Useful Music.

Highlights of this CD include "Must Be You," "The Future that Was," and "Siddhartha's of Suburbia."

If you are in the mood for some good rock in the vein of Matchbox 20 and REM, definitely check out this CD.

Great CD!.......2003-02-22

I was first introduced to Josh Joplin via a local radio station. I heard the title track and "I'm not the only cowboy" on the radio. I HAD to get the CD, hoping the rest of it would be as good as those songs. They are. I bought this CD several weeks ago and still have not gotten tired of it.

Thomas Edison & Son of Sam.......2002-12-22

Josh Joplin Group has created a concentrated follow-up to "Useful Music" that takes a few listens to be fully appreciated. His wit is intact on the opener "Must Be You," "Time just hates me, that's why it made me an adult." "The Wonderful Ones" is a strong rocker where Josh asks the not-so-subtle question, "Everybody loves us, how about you?" "Listening" slows the pace with Allen Bryoles' keyboards giving a sense of strength. Joplin's lyric bites with irony on "Siddhartha's of Suburbia," "The archetype of rock-n-roll is dying in his bed while the debutantes deny it & set their clocks ahead." "When it comes to stature, he only counts the size of other men's desks; he's counting every inch," Joplin spits out on the shotgun rocker "It's Only Entertainment." "Dishes" is a brief little folk melody about a dishwasher's lament. "I Am Not the Only Cowboy" is the CD's big production piece with strings, "You are yourself despite yourself; this world gets smaller as the universe swells." Electric guitars swell on "Lucky." One of my favorite tracks is "Trampoline" with its driving beat, "I went abroad to break my concentration, but instead I broke my glasses, lost my voice in translation." "Fire" has a pretty melody with a prominent piano part. "I sound like Michael Stipe & I dream like Carl Jung," Josh croaks on the hot blaster "Happy At Last." We could start a contest about whom Joplin refers on "The Future That Was" with my guesses being Thomas Edison & Son of Sam! The CD concludes with the wispy "Wonder Wheel." This CD is one that needs a few listenings to see how good it is, similar to Dylan's recent "Love & Theft." Joplin's lyrical distinctiveness and melodic & rock influences make this a delight. Enjoy!