Joshua James, the young folk troubadour from Lincoln, Nebraska, is certainly on the rise. Since 2006 he has released 6 albums, only two of them EP’s, and he has sparked some major recognition from magazines that focus on judging young singers and song-writers. Variety Magazine has called James, “a young Midwestern singer-songwriter who writes hard-bitten songs of family tragedies and sings them in a voice that’s as sun-bleached and wind-battered as a Nebraska cornfield,” which is most certainly some eloquent high praise. Paste magazine has named him one of their “Next 25 Artists You Need To Know” in their September, 2008 edition. He has even gotten the support of his fellow musicians who recognized his talent and wanted him to help their North American Tours. On that names list is Brett Dennen, Ani DiFranco (oddly Top 100 Lyricists #75), David Gray, and John Mayer. Putting all the recognition and praise aside I can tell you truthfully that he is one of the more exciting artists in a long time and his lyrical prowess is in the top 5 of below-40 artists scribbling songs.
James, currently based in Utah, grew up in Nebraska with strict parents who banned certain music. Of course, like any rebellious child, James constantly sneaked listens and developed his own musical longing and ability. In using music as a therapeutic connection, James began writing songs about the world around him and the people in it. His ability to delineate human struggle and emotion is certainly uncanny, but, what shoots him above other lyricists able to evince emotions is his remarkable hold of the English language and the cadence in his lyric. Let’s look at the opening verse in James’ song “Soul in the Sea” which you can also listen to below the lyric.
“I dream of dusty roads, paved with gold that lead me in your eyes.
The marmeladed paintings sing a song that not the crows will try.
The Piano screams a sound inside your lips I have found,
Something I could never save.
The current pulls me down, into your river deeper now, than I had
Ever planned to sink, planned to sink”
Not only is the song catchy and the melody calm and beautiful, but, as you can see above, the lyric reflects it. “Dusty Roads,” “Marmeladed Paintings” “The Piano Screams a Sound.” The description is effulgent and even James’ personification in the piano screaming is original and shocking. Shocking is the name of the game with James’ next song “Lovers Without Love” where he explores truths in our society.
“Love and hate can not see colors,
like the human eyes,
so priests and preachers, parents teachers,
don’t act so damn surprised
its the world we’ve made and living in
of greed lust and poverty,
of war and pride, teen suicide,
and lovers without love like me
from topless dances to Marilyn Manson
and lovers without love like me.”
In what seems to be an attack on those who claim ignorance in our world, James explores how we all spot the distinct color of hatred in this world that we are living in. We have greed, lust, poverty, war, pride, teen suicide and lovers without love. It is a list out of the Seven Deadly Sins and it is unfortunately true. James is able to express this, like everything else he does, with a Midas touch.
The Music Court 