Josh Joplin Group – GpYr
This showcase is Josh Joplin’s first in 12 years. Out of the starting gate in 1995, their music was a salad of alternative-rock with forays into folk rock & Americana & afforded them interest from major labels. The original band was based in Atlanta, GA & experienced critical acclaim. Timing is often the key, but it’s still a toss of the dice. It’s good to see they’re still hustling their well-polished wares.
The 10 generous offerings here were recorded at Restoration Sound in Brooklyn, NY, & make up GpYr (Drops April 4/Narrow Moat/Missing Piece Records). Produced by Josh Joplin & Lorenzo Wolff (bass/Moog/synth/organ). The opener has the typical circuity — a combination of subdued production & music that somehow coagulates into a fascinating blend. “Colored Copies” comes across some ears as new wave-inspired pub rock music ala the ‘70s artists Brinsley Schwartz/Nick Lowe & Ian Gomm. But something dutifully applied makes these tunes a potpourri of melodies more suitable today than throwbacks.
“That’s It, You Ghosted Me” has the sophistication of XTC & finely saturates the endeavor musically with vocal artists like Steve Wynn, Bobby Sutliff & Russ Tolman. What does this all mean? It’s charming & still innovative music with enough kick & sweetness within its consistency to be catchy. It’s all far more pop-oriented with limitations but augmented by skill, diligence & craftiness.
Josh Joplin (guitars/Rhodes/Omnichord/vocals) doesn’t have a strong rock voice like Elton John, Billy Joel, or Van Morrison. He doesn’t need it. His voice has an attractive vibrancy that has a diversified range of tonalities. He’s just as effective at the pulsating pop rockers as the softer, suave tunes like “The Ice Age Is Over.” This one sounds almost like a modern-day Nick Drake with studio embellishments.
“One More Someone” is superb. This has the teasing hints of Joplin being himself. The influences are all there, but as a parfait of Josh Joplin’s creativity. It appears again in “Goodbye Berlin.” These songs are not reminiscent of many other artists as far as compositions are concerned.
All songs are delivered with confidence & most often in a pleasing arrangement. Fortunately, the Joplin band performs these songs with a minimum of confections, cliches & pop-basics. Instead, they load-up each song (like “Predator & Prey”) with its ebullience. Supplemented with well-paced tracking, there’s hardly a dull moment.
Highlights – “Colored Copies,” “That’s It, You Ghosted Me,” “One More Someone,” “Goodbye Berlin,” “I’m With Gorillas,” “The Ice Age Is Over,” & “Predator & Prey.”
Musicians – Kevin Joaquin Garcia (drums/percussion), Sarah Goldstone (piano/organ/synth), Lomie (lead guitar/bgv), Allen Broyles (accordion/bgv), Randy Leago (saxes), Emily Holden, Ani Cordero & Geoff Melkonian (bgv), Eric Taylor (percussion), Joe McMahon (synths) & Wes Langlois (guitar/piano).
Album photos courtesy of Josh & Allen Broyles. Color image courtesy of Josh’s Bandcamp. CD @ Amazon & Bandcamp + https://joshjoplingroup.com/
