2008 sophomore album from the singer, songwriter and modern troubadour who Rolling Stone called 'this generation's Bob Dylan'. Simple Times takes the simplicity of his debut album and adds more depth and layers to the prod... more »uction, bringing Radin forward while also making sure he has at least one foot firmly in the past. A natural step forward, to put it simply.« less
2008 sophomore album from the singer, songwriter and modern troubadour who Rolling Stone called 'this generation's Bob Dylan'. Simple Times takes the simplicity of his debut album and adds more depth and layers to the production, bringing Radin forward while also making sure he has at least one foot firmly in the past. A natural step forward, to put it simply.
"AS OLDER AARP AGE MUSIC LOVER WHO ENJOYS NEW ARTISTS, I AFFIRM THAT JOSHUA RADIN IS THE FINEST SONG-WRITER AND IN-PERSON PERFORMER I HAVE COME ACROSS IN YEARS. HIS TWO COLLECTIONS ARE MATURE AND SOPHISTICATED AND HAVE AN APPEAL ACROSS AGE BOUNDARIES. WHY HE IS NOT FILLING LARGE VENUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY (HE WILL---BELIEVE ME!!!!) AT THIS POINT MAY BE DUE TO THE NATION'S EMBRACE OF THE "AMERICAN IDOL" FOOLS RATHER THAN TRUE POETS AND COMPOSERS. EVERYBODY SHOULD OWN BOTH OF HIS RELEASES!!!"
"We Were Here" Set a Precedent
Dawn A. Pearce | Las Vegas, NV | 12/19/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Considering the unfaltering continuity of Joshua Radin's first (first popular, albeit technically his second album) it is justifiably difficult for him to top his own work. "We Were Here" is a flawless CD. In comparison, Simple Times is sort of just that--simple. The tunes are good, but nothing stood out to me as addicting and compelling or any other specific feeling I might have craved after his other album. Having said that though, it's his iTunes versions of his songs that do it for me...the song versions many of us heard him play on tour and enjoyed via myspace. The tunes are altered and are not as wonderful on the CD, sadly. I highly recommend downloading via iTunes, rather than buying this version even as much as I hate to say it considering I've met the guy twice and he's a gem, but we're talking about the CD here and it is what it is..."
A must have
J. Jordan | north carolina | 10/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Without a doubt, Joshua Radin is one of the most talented singer/songwriters. His lyrics speak to everyone and he sings them with such emotion you can't help but love every single song. There are some songs that are better than others but this is one of those cds you can listen to over and over again. Why he is not all over public radio I do not understand. His songs are featured all over tv and movies and each time they are used, they make the scene so much more powerful. He is truly amazing in person as well. He joined the crowd and did a small acoustic set with no microphone and although his voice seems very small he amazed me with the power his voice actual has. It is my opinion everyone should own every song and cd he ever puts out. If you truly love indie rock music, you will love Joshua Radin."
Simple Times - not simplistic at all!
K. Lyke | Hornell, NY | 10/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Josh Radin's second offering, "Simple Times," improves on the semi-maudlin feeling of his first CD (We Were There). The music is more upbeat, more positive, and even has a bit of "swing" to it - at least some of the cuts. Definitely worth listening to, several times - the more I've listened, the more I've enjoyed! Hope you do, too!
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Better than the previous
Paul Mosier | 03/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I rarely do reviews of CDs, because it's hard to rate something that is so unequivocally subjective. But "Simple Times" builds on Joshua Radin's success from "We Were Here" and is the first CD in a long time I have wanted to listen to over and over. His vocals are very smooth adding to lyrics that actually have meaning. The title track "Simple Times" is even really good with an upbeat Caribbean type feel. And he makes sure the album doesn't take itself too seriously with "Vegetable Car." Almost every song is catchy and is difficult to get out of your head...in a good way. The main difference between Simple Times and We Were Here is Josh seems much more comfortable and the melodies just have a optimistic outlook. It is a very impressive set of music from a talented artist."