Search - Joseph Arthur :: Big City Secrets

If I could only take three discs to a desert island...

Clayton W. Hibbert | Seattle, WA, USA | 08/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...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."

Beautiful Moody Music

Kevin Barrack | San Mateo, CA USA | 04/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Joseph Arthur: the best artist there is, that you probably h

Manny Hernandez | Bay Area, CA | 07/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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"?"