You know how some albums are just all the way around pleasant to listen to? That’s Joseph’s Good Luck, Kid.
I credit Columbus music hypeman Marco Castro for getting me on the Joseph hype train. I will admit Jeff Tobin of quirky rock quartet The Jeffs played a support role in that cause (I recall seeing him post about this at-the-time unknown group at SXSW on Facebook).
I’m never quite sure who’s singing of the Clossner sisters on this record, but I think I prefer it that way. Others who have discussed this album have pointed out the importance of a blood bond in the harmonies present, and I’m going to be a broken record and point that out again, just because it’s an element I can’t get out of my mind while listening! It’s that powerful. Yet, it isn’t powerful in an overwhelming emotional sense—just pleasant.
Joseph’s strength is their mix of old school harmonies with just the right amount of atmospheric production. Think Of Monsters of Men, but with less reserved vocals. These sisters are passionate and unashamed. “Green Eyes” is an excellent example of this. Surrender has never sounded so powerful—the vocals are earnest, and the drums are thundering.
“Shiver” is another side of the band. The atmospheric element is yet present, yet the chorus is haunting in an oddly pleasant way. The last lines are meant to linger, just like the physical feeling they are trying to convey. “I know I’m alive when I feel the shivers / Shivers / Shivers.” Similarly, “NYE” conveys longing in it’s melody and arrangement, but it isn’t unpleasant. It isn’t like some songs of desperation where I feel the need to balance it out with a cheery pop song or an angry metal song to even out my mood. There’s just a sense of satisfaction left behind.
Indeed, each song is anthemic in its own way. As I listen to this record, I don’t find elements that are groundbreaking, and yet I keep finding new things that these sisters excel at. For these reasons, I recommend adding any of the songs on Good Luck, Kid to your next playlist.
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