JOSHUA RADIN – Wax Wings – CD review

JOSHUA RADIN
Wax Wings
Self – Released

Nope, me neither. I’ve no idea what a Joshua Radin is. But turns out this is his fifth album, with the last three all having went Top 40 over there in the American colonies. Of course, despite never having heard of him, the chances of me not having heard him is pretty slended. Because he’s one of those musicians who have their songs all over US television shows. So if you’ve watched Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, American Idol, One Tree Hill and many, many more, chances are there has been a deep and meaningful scene underpinned by one of his tunes.

See, that’s what he does. Confessional indie pop, with a hint of folky undertones. And if you don’t believe me, here’s what the man himself says about this new release; ““this album is the story of a romance; but there’s no beginning and no end. it’s more circular than linear. often, in my past songs, i’ve referred to my love as the sun. i flew too close to that sun on wings made of wax, and when they melted, i fell, over and over again.”

Luckily, he lives thousands of miles away, so I won’t have the opportunity to beat him senseless anytime soon. Instead, I played the record. And it’s not nearly as bad as that quote suggests, which came as a blessed release. It’s very Jack Johnson-ey, but as I’m not sure whether anyone remembers Jack Johnson these days, I don’t know how that will pan out for Mr Radison. However, the kind of folks that swoon over the end credits to indie films will delight in confessional heartbreak songs like ‘When We’re Together’, ‘Your Rainy Days’ and ‘Like They Used To’. It’s not all singery songwriter stuff, as he does use a full band on some tunes, but he actually seems to get a little bit lost there.

So, those who like an angst filled hour will need some extra hankies for this one. I’ve no idea how you’re supposed to buy it, as the shop on his website at http://joshuaradin.co.uk/ doesn’t have it listed, but I’m sure come the May release date, that will be all sorted.