speed of dark

If you haven't heard of Joseph Arthur until recently, it's probably because the man's entire career has developed entirely outside the mainstream recording industry and its complex. All of his albums are self-produced, including his latest, Nuclear Daydream. Also, this is the first album he has supported with a full band, the Lonely Astronauts, and a tour of live performances. This tour, too, is without the support of a recording company. He is a truly independent artist. I owe my introduction to him to my brother, who gave me Come To Where I'm From six years ago.

Come To Where I'm From is the ultimate break-up album; you can hear the pain of loss and all the accompanying distress in every song. I was going through some painful stuff of my own at that time, and I loved it because it spoke to the depths of my soul and gave expression to my pain. I thought "History" was written especially for and about me. It's a pretty dark record.

"Honey and the Moon" from Redemption's Son was featured on the O.C. It's probably his sweetest song, but it isn't happy-happy either. I don't think Joe writes happy-happy songs.

Like the best poet-singer-songwriters, Joseph Arthur is a wordsmith and a crafter of deft phrases that evoke vivid images in few words. He plays almost every instrument on his albums. He has a startling vocal range, from a low, husky growl to an eerie falsetto.

Arthur is also a painter, whose rather disturbing and vaguely violent images of human-like figures like the one above have graced his album covers and inserts. His art has recently been published as a book of illustrations called We Almost Made It.

He has been featured lately on NPR's Fresh Air and recently performed in the studio on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic

In the KCRW show, Joe tells host Nic Harcourt that Nuclear Daydream is a "straight-up rock and roll record." I don't know how he could categorize his previous albums as not rock and roll. What else would you call it? This new album does seem more accessible and a little less dark than his previous ones. In spite of that (!), I like most of the songs. He's just too good for me not to like.

from Come To Where I'm From (2000):

Joseph Arthur: History
Joseph Arthur: Tattoo
Joseph Arthur: Invisible Hands

from Our Shadows Will Remain (2004):

Joseph Arthur: Stumble and Pain
Joseph Arthur: Wasted

from Nuclear Daydream (2006):

Joseph Arthur: Automatic Situation

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