Though he's an up-and-coming artist on the singer/songwriter scene, Joe Pug sounds like an old soul on his debut album, Messenger. It may have something to do with the fact that he's working an old-school sound. At a point in time when most acoustic guitar-strumming troubadours are tricking up their tunes with neo-psychedelic swirls, electronic frippery, or some other such device, Pug plays it straight-ahead, with a delivery that brings to mind John Prine, and lyrics full of poetic but never overripe imagery. If Messenger ...
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Though he's an up-and-coming artist on the singer/songwriter scene, Joe Pug sounds like an old soul on his debut album, Messenger. It may have something to do with the fact that he's working an old-school sound. At a point in time when most acoustic guitar-strumming troubadours are tricking up their tunes with neo-psychedelic swirls, electronic frippery, or some other such device, Pug plays it straight-ahead, with a delivery that brings to mind John Prine, and lyrics full of poetic but never overripe imagery. If Messenger had arrived sometime in the '70s, Pug would likely have been one of the many songsmiths of that era (Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Forbert, et al) labeled as a "New Dylan." Many of the tracks here feature nothing but Pug accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, but the songs themselves are weighty enough that there's never a feeling of empty space. For that matter, even when Pug has a full band backing him up, as on the tunes that bookend the album, "Messenger" and "Speak Plainly, Diana," you get the impression that however much the musicians may add, the man up front could easily keep your interest all by himself on these cuts as well. "I was born into a circus, but I ran off to join a home" sings Pug on "How Good You Are," and it's a perfect example of how he can subvert clichés and come up with striking images without ever letting the seams show. It doesn't hurt that Pug brings an emotional accessibility to these tunes without seeming over-indulgent and emoting all over your shoes. On his first album, Pug already seems like an old hand at this game, even if he's exaggerating a touch when he brags "I wrote John Steinbeck's book" on "Not So Sure." ~ J. Allen, Rovi
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Add this copy of Messenger to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Lightning Rod Records.
Add this copy of Messenger to cart. $1.97, good condition, Sold by Seattle Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Lightning Rod Records.
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All our items include the original disc(s) in the original case. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Add this copy of Messenger to cart. $3.37, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Industries rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Lightning Rod Records.
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Seller's Description:
Disc(s) may have light surface scratches unless noted as being NIP (New In Package). DVD's are guaranteed to play as new or your money back. Case conditions will vary. Purchasing this item from Goodwill provides vocational opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment.
