Track Listing

1. Too Much to Hide
2. Black Lexus
3. Enough to Get Away
4. Slide Away
5. Electrical Storm
6. You Are Free
7. Automatic Situation
8. When I Was Running out of Time
9. Don't Tell Your Eyes
10. Don't Give Up on People
11. Woman
12. Nuclear Daydream

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38345 in Music
• Brand: Dig
• Released on: 2006-09-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .13 pounds

Amazon.com
Joseph Arthur's fifth album, and the first for his own new label, is quite likely his best to date. Stripped-down throughout and achingly lovely, it shows that Arthur's far more than the smart folk's one-man jam band. He's a rad songwriter with more than one setting on his blender, an often-gorgeous singer who can go low and high with equal rewards. It's hard for some of Arthur's trustafarian trappings to not rankle, from the repeated chant of "be here now" at the close of the gorgeous, Eels-ish opener "Too Much to Hide" to the ridiculous Jerry-Garcia-underwater guitar playing on "Slide Away." But those moments are few and far between. If you need one song to convince you that Arthur's a major talent, make it the Neil Young-y bad-dream song "Black Lexus." It's hard to not see Nuclear Daydream as a blessed distillation of Arthur's talents. Huzzah. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Daydream Believer!
This latest record from who i consider to be the best american solo artist is another step foward for Mr. Arthur. I would say its not quite as dark as Our shadows will remain, more closer to Redemptions Son in sound and songwriting. Joseph returns to his acoustic guitar and allover the place vocals that made the last three records so compelling. The songs here are all strong- more sparse and relaxed than previous efforts -some have that potential small time hit as all Arthur records have- but most are just written with art and heart at mind. Arthur seems comfortable being a cult artist and isnt trying to compromise his vision for mainstream success. Nuclear Daydream is a great introduction to a new fan- and old fans will be pleased. Soundwise there is a very strong hint of early Neil Young- not only vocally at times but in the song structures though Arthurs innovative use of live loops and electronic touches makes it sound modern and different. The rich textures with piano synth strings and ofcourse real drums are scattered among the tracks and Arthurs voice morphs high and low dramatically with odd vocal treatments especially in the choruses. The slower songs all have that lazy haunting voice that fans have come to love and i would say Nuclear Daydream sits well beside come to where im from and redemptions as his best work. Hes touring now so catch his amazing live show- a real one man band in action.

Will make many "best of" lists
On "Nuclear Daydream (Dig)," Joseph Arthur unclutters his sound and relies more on arrangements and simple acoustic guitar. The results are a leaner sound, one that has more space and fewer layers---not that one should expect anything sparse! (I felt that at times his creative instincts were overwhelming, even distracting, on his previous release "Our Shadows Will Remain.") These songs, which are tales about troubled lives, troubled relationships, finding love, and soul searching may not mine any new territory, but they have a lilting energy that recalls Nick Drake in his rare up moments.

Mr. Arthur's distinct singing voice and shimmering guitar dominate this recording (I'm so glad he has not made an acoustic album), and his knack for layering choruses and plying emotion from a multitude of instruments and effects shine throughout "Nuclear Daydream (Dig)." I suspect this CD will make many "best of" lists in the coming year.

Of singer/songwriters, Best of '06
Was a bit skeptical of buying this album given that I was not thrilled with the "Come to Where I'm From" album (except for In the Sun, Chemical), but I was sold with Black Lexus on a Paste CD and Slide Away on Letterman. Thankfully, of the singer/songwriters, probably the best album since Josh Rouse's Nashville ... both smooth albums, although the similarities end there. Enough to Get Away makes you smile with every listen, and some fine strumming underlies most of the other songs. The album will not likely disappoint.