Josh Kelley follows his polite 2003 debut, For the Ride Home, with a great leap forward called Almost Honest. For his second record, Kelley has expanded his songwriting palette past the jangly John Mayer comparisons to incorporate a slick, funky pop sound comparable to Maroon 5 or Rob Thomas' solo work. (In fact, Honest was produced by Matt Wallace, who also helmed Maroon's breakthrough, Songs About Jane.) The strong late-album cut "Hard Times Happen" could be a Jane outtake, while opener "Walk Fast" is irresistibly slinky, ...
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Josh Kelley follows his polite 2003 debut, For the Ride Home, with a great leap forward called Almost Honest. For his second record, Kelley has expanded his songwriting palette past the jangly John Mayer comparisons to incorporate a slick, funky pop sound comparable to Maroon 5 or Rob Thomas' solo work. (In fact, Honest was produced by Matt Wallace, who also helmed Maroon's breakthrough, Songs About Jane.) The strong late-album cut "Hard Times Happen" could be a Jane outtake, while opener "Walk Fast" is irresistibly slinky, and possessed of a rhythm somewhere around Steely Dan. Kelley co-wrote the lead single "Only You" with the Matrix, and it bears some of the pop hitmakers' signature touches -- a processed guitar cuts through the verses over warm electronic programming, and its chorus grabs you with weird lyrics about acting "all sweetness" that nevertheless sound perfect to your tapping foot. This veer left from adult alternative, singer/songwriter shagginess does wonders for Kelley. As affable as his debut was, it was also cut from the Mayer cloth, a place where everything's a wonderland but nothing's memorable. In Almost Honest, Kelley has a confident modern pop album that's melodic and ultra-accessible, but also packed with vibrant, interesting songwriting. He works with Joe Firstman on the gorgeous title track, a song just waiting for a late-night drive, lite rock radio, and a Lionel Richie segue. And "Lover Come Up," a collaboration with Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin, lopes along like mildly salacious blue-eyed R&B ("And when I get the urge/I'll give the love that you deserve..."). Kelley's on his game vocally throughout Almost Honest. He's not the best singer in the world, but he doesn't pretend to be, instead working within the songs, inhabiting their dynamic arrangements. He's dusty-throat confident on the country-rocker "20 Miles to Georgia" and softly expressive on the midnight mood of "Shameless Heart." It's forgivable if the latter sounds a little too much like Chris Isaak covering Mazzy Star, because it's part of a record that wears its slick, modern sound with pride. ~ Johnny Loftus, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Burr/Kelley; Cutler/Kelley/Preve; Daly/Kelley; Firstman/Kelley; Griffin/Kelley; Harry/Kelley; Johnson/Kelley/Yade;... Good. Used-Good Condition. Some signs of use, but nothing that should affect playback. Includes case and original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
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Burr/Kelley; Cutler/Kelley/Preve; Daly/Kelley; Firstman/Kelley; Griffin/Kelley; Harry/Kelley; Johnson/Kelley/Yade;... Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. audioCD. Case Good. Case cracked/scuffed. Case sealed/unopened. Case contains cut-out. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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Very Good. Size: 0x0x0; All orders professionally packed and shipped from the USA within 24 hours. Multilingual, friendly, and intelligent customer service!
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Like New. Like New condition. audioCD. Shrink wrapped! Case Like New. Case contains cut-out. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED PLEASE NOTE: *** Digital Code may not work or missing. There is no guarantee you will receive a valid digital code with this item. ***
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