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Josh Kelley
In the wake of John Mayer, there seems to be a sudden increase in young and talented singer/songwriters. If you ask me, there ain’t nothing wrong with that. I’ve spent years bitching and moaning about how the art of songwriting has vanished from the pop charts, so I’m thrilled to see a new wave of Young Turks stepping up to the plate for a chance to bang one over the wall.
Most of the male singer/songwriters I’ve reviewed this year have the chops but are lacking in vitality, or broad-based commercial appeal. They swing for the fences and miss, but I think that Kelley connected. In actuality, Josh Kelley has been around just about as long as Mayer, but he’s been flying below the radar, hoping that things would eventually pick up. “Just Say the Word” is the record that should do the trick for him.
Kelley writes, produces, and plays most of the instruments on “Just Say the Word,” but the album breathes comfortably, suffering none of the claustrophobic connotations that often comes from working alone. “Pop Game” is a wry observation of our pop culture, noting how every one of us is partially responsible for its impetus, shaking our heads at its insipid nature while simultaneously wishing we were part of it. It’s the first single from the album, and ought to be a hit, but if it misses, the album’s title track could do the trick just as easily. There’s a generous handful of commercial possibilities here, but “Just Say the Word” is that rare album where you feel compelled to listen beyond the hits. The best songs are those that aren’t aimed squarely at a marketable niche. “Cain and Able” (sic) is an acoustic beauty that retells the Old Testament story with an insightful spin, while “How the Story Goes” has a soulful lope and falsetto-tinged vocal that suggests seventies icons Curtis Mayfield or Donny Hathaway. “Beautiful Goodbye” is another keeper that subtly highlights Kelley’s production skills and intelligent choice of instrumentation.
Since the mid-seventies, singer/songwriters have been a mainstay of popular culture. From Jackson Browne to Marc Cohen to Jeff Buckley, they relied on tried and true techniques while providing a unique perspective. If you’re looking for something new, with an appeal that is both familiar and virtually instantaneous, pick this up.
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