JOSEPH ARTHUR

JOSEPH ARTHUR
& THE LONELY ASTRONAUTS
LET'S JUST BE (2007)
320 KBPS

It's hard to resist the urge to rock out once in awhile. Let's Just Be is proof that even the most smooth-voiced and pop-minded singer-songsters must get their ya-yas out now and again. On some songs, Arthur conjures the early '70s spirit of Mick Jagger while on others he seems to be shooting for Marc Bolan. His most ragged-sounding and strictly rock and roll album to date, the record has a very loosely hewn feel which reaches an apex during the 20 minute (plus) "Lonely Astronaut." That song starts out as a pleasant enough country warble then mutates into a sloppy rave-up before dissolving into a bizarre mantra of the word "I" chanted atop an acoustic guitar and what sounds like a cement mixer, before slipping back into the warble bit. This disc is charming in its own way, and clearly was a blast for all involved--but a tad more editing might have been nice.

1. Diamond Ring
2. Good Life
3. Precious One
4. Spacemen
5. Take Me Home
6. Chicago
7. Cockteeze
8. Lonely Astronaut
9. Cocaine Feet
10. Let's Just Be
11. Shake It Off
12. Lack A Vision
13. Gimme Some Company
14. I Will Carry You
15. Yer The Reason
16. Star Song