Album Review: Joshua Radin - The Rock and the Tide

Joshua Radin - The Rock and the Tide

Looking for a quiet and relaxed place to spend an hour at Glastonbury a couple of years ago led me to Joshua Radin's largely acoustic performance on the Other Stage. Since then, I have become a great fan of his 2008 album Simple Times which he follows up here with his third album, The Rock and the Tide.

The Rock and the Tide marks a slight departure from his previous work in that it's more upbeat with a lot more going on. Whilst some gentle acoustic moments remain - Think I'll Go Inside is beautiful - this album is louder with instruments that sound as if they have been plugged in this time. The Ones with the Light has a jaunty keyboard riff reminiscent of the Fine Young Cannibals' Good Thing whilst opening track Road to Ride On is a great statement of intent as to what Radin is trying to achieve with this album.

I think he's a great talent and I don't share the critical reviews of many fans who simply wanted the 37 year old to continue with his stripped back ruminations about life and love. The bigger production suits him and whilst The Rock and the Tide is hardly pushing musical boundaries it is a likeable, melodic and accomplished record.