Brian Joseph is a gifted songwriter who tried acting as a profession but then returned to his first love, music. His songs offer a mix of political and social commentary, humor and the occasional quirky ballad. King of Echo Park is his third album.

Joseph's writing is of uniformly high quality throughout the album. The closest thing to a throwaway number is "Hallalujiah," in which a thief impersonates a priest to do his business. Another lightweight but charming ditty is the countryish "The Road to Endarkenment," sort of a new-age unrequited love song. Love is a frequent Joseph subject, but he often comes at it from an unexpected direction, such as in "Cal's Chevy," which is about persistence in a long-term relationship. The characters in "Louise" are finely drawn and make the listener want to know them better. "Walk on Alvarado" is a trademark Joseph number in the vein of the title track of his second album, "We're Gonna Laugh." And "The King of Echo Park" is a sweet lullaby. Joseph has a talent for writing about affection and happiness in a way that isn't sappy, a rare skill indeed.

Heavier matters are handled with a dollop of wry wit in the album's opener, "God Save the King," in which a solid Boston citizen of 1775 rails against those troublemakers in the streets who are dumping tea in the harbor. "Ways of the Cool" talks a good game about coolness and backs it up with a cool jazz arrangement, but the narrator's definition of cool things to do in his dead-end hometown includes setting a fire in a garbage can, getting someone to buy beer for his friends and him, and sneaking into the movies without paying. Joseph gets his message across by letting the narrator talk and blunder through his own unintended ironies, which the listener can hear all too clearly. "Nobody Misses You" appears to be about a forgotten grave, until the final line uncorks the "punch line," to devastating effect.

The album closes on a downbeat number, "God Bless the Storm," in which the narrator blesses a disaster that has destroyed his life and home. The eerie, spare setting reinforces Joseph's reading of the song, in which he sounds exhausted, embittered and tense. It's not easy listening by any means, but a testament to both his writing and performing skills.

Brian Joseph is putting together some terrific albums recommended to any songer-songwriter fan. Rooted in California, they look at life with a sharp, often humorous and sometimes indignant eye. The music is never less than impeccably performed, either. There's not a dud on this album as Joseph continues to refine his craft. Check this guy out.

by Jennifer Hanson
Rambles.NET
18 November 2006