Search - Josh Wilson :: Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup

Surprisingly Hooky Debut

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 05/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first listen, I almost wrote Josh Wilson's debut off. It sounds similar to the many other pop projects on the market today. But I gave it a second listen. Then a third. It's now spent a week straight in my car. And I've got to say I really like it.



Stylistically, the music is the standard pop fair that so many other artists do today. Josh plays many of the instruments on this record himself, and that includes guitar, bass, piano, keys, melodica, and banjo. While it doesn't truly stand out from so many other artists, it certainly sounds good. This is the kind of music you want to listen to in the car with the wind blowing in your face.



It's the lyrics that really set this debut apart from many of his competitors. Josh has co-written every song here, and he has a way with words. Take, for example, "Turn Around" where he describes turning your back on God to find love like "Flying around the world to get across the street." He's got a couple songs about God's desire to love us, and they are both so warm. Yet there's the expression of dependence on God in "Savior, Please" that really resonates with me. "Beautiful Like This" wonders what God sees in us considering how beautiful the world around us is. And "Oak Avenue" is a sobering reminder to not leave things unsaid.



But the songs aren't all serious. Two of the songs really show off his sense of humor. There's the first single "3 Minute Song" which describes how hard it is to write an adequate song to describe God in three minutes. While it makes a very good point, you've got to laugh at some of the lines, like his desire to keep it to three chords, too. While he doesn't do that, the song is exactly 3 minutes. Then there's "Dear Money" in which he breaks up with money. If only it were possible to overcome the problem by changing the locks on our pockets.



The only real flaw is that so many of the songs sound the same. But the lyrics really do stand out. I look forward to hearing more from Josh in the future."

First album success!

W. Walkowski | Jackson, MI USA | 09/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I learned about Josh Wilson when I heard his single "3 Minute Song." Not only was the tune good, but the words caught my attention; they were thoughtful, and the tongue-in-cheek manner that he used fit my sensibilities. Based on that song alone, I thought I would take a flyer on his full album, and I wasn't disappointed. No, it's probably not the best album I own, but it is solid. It features several other songs with the same lyricism that attracted me to him in the first place, along with the very poignant "Oak Avenue," which leaves the listener pondering how important his/her interactions are. I would recommend this album to anyone who has an interest in good song writing that challenges the status quo, and am looking forward to hearing future releases by Mr. Wilson."

Josh Wilson Slam Dunks his debut album

Amy E. Sondova | Emmaus, PA | 09/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The album, which has yet to be mastered, is pretty spectacular. I've admitted in the past that I have a certain weakness for singer/songwriters and debut artists (Josh Wilson is both), but Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup far exceeded even my expectations. I listened to the album this afternoon, fully preparing to relax to some good background music.



From the first song, which happened to be "Savior, Please", I was engaged...with the music. It's an honest song that's lyrically simple, yet profoundly true. After a trying couple of months, the transparency of "Savior, Please" had me flat on my face. For me, it was one of those songs that expresses the groans of my soul.



"Something's Got to Change" starts out with this lovely, slightly haunting piano intro. The vocals are low, soft, and deliberate. Eventually builds by moving into faster tempo and a higher vocals. Again, the words speak volumes without being vague, "Do you remember when you had so much hope in you? It lingers inside you still."



Not only does Josh tickle the ivories in "Dear Money", he takes us down a funky road complete with a horn medley. Tackling the love of money Josh sings, "I'm changing the locks on my pockets now" and "I love to love to hate to love you, but I can't get enough of you." It's funny because it's true.



The quirkiest song on the album is "3 Minute Song", which reminds me of "The Other Side of the Radio" by Chris Rice. Speaking directly to the listener, Josh gets cheeky as he discusses the absurdity of trying to explain God's majesy in three minutes (and in 3 chords or 4, which is brilliant observation). I believe Josh is even rocking the banjo in this song.



I could go on and on about every song, but then there would be nothing to write about in Josh Wilson's upcoming article (if you have any questions you'd like me to ask Josh, feel free to leave `em in the comments section).



Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup is more than an album with a thought-provoking title. Josh Wilson proves himself to be a master of intruments, melodies, transitions, lyrics, and emotion. Pulling from the deeply personal, Josh not only relates to listeners; he has created something with such musical depth and beauty that it begs to be listened to repeatedly.

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