CD Review: JOSHUA ARMSTRONG ~ STARTING OVER

Joshua Armstrong is a young musician originating from Salinas, California. He recently moved to Nashville Tennessee, after spending time studying psychology at Sacramento State University. Leaving his Californian home, University life, as well as family & friends behind, Joshua’s emotions erupted in the musical creation of his first full length album aptly entitled “Starting Over”. The official release is not until November 20, but music fans choosing to pre-purchase a signed copy will be awarded a free digital download in advance. Look out for tour dates near you!

STARTING OVER: These lyrics are doubtless autobiographical. They deal positively with decisions in a young life found when dealing with a major move in life. There is a catchy pop chorus you’ll find yourself wanting to sing-along to after just hearing the song a couple of times.

TAKE ME DOWN: A lively, bouncing number that combines a dominant drum beat with tangy guitar melodies and Joshua’s clear vocals. This tune won’t let you sit still – it’s a toe-tapper for sure! This is another tune that you will probably want to sing along with after just a few plays.

IN LOVE: Mellow ballad vocals surf a pop-rock beat. A soft, young voice gently gives us the lyrics with a slightly advanced perspective. This track would be the ideal background accompaniment for a romantic dinner. I can imagine this track reaching the heights, if the right ears catch it. One of my favorites for sure.

GREEN EYES: Boppy music topped by Joshua’s balladic vocalizations. Pop-chorus keeps your body swaying along. The lyrics tell a familiar story that many of us can relate to – “paint on your face, it can”t hide the fear’ – “the names in your phone – they are not your friends” – “using me to survive”.

YOU’RE NOT THE ONE: These lyrics deal with difficulties many of us have to learn to handle at some stage. Joshua offers the story with ripened attitude in his own style, given to us by appealing vocals that glide over soft-rock music.

TO YOUR RESCUE: A cheerful intro leads into a pop-glide instrumental topped by positive lyrics donated by Joshua’s enchanting voice. A great song for playing whilst driving down a winding country road or whilst doing the chores.

SAY THE WORDS: Beautiful vocals offer encouraging words, coupled with gentle balladic-rock guitar melodies supported by a drum undercurrent. This song is my overall favorite from the album.

YOU’RE A PART OF ME: A raspy-whisper vocal entry leads into this pop ballad, which soon has you swaying and bopping along. Here is another song for singing along with – but don’t forget to listen to the lyrics; they’re worth your attention.

SHOW YOU THE WORLD: A gentle rolling intro enwaved by the drum beat drops us into this rock ballad. Joshua offers us enticing, constructive words gently given out by his sensitive voice in the penultimate track. This is a good song for relaxing with in the evening.

IF WE LEFT THAT DAY: A drum focus intro, curling guitar melody, strong lyrics with soft articulation. A sentimental song which seems to cross the style of Val Doonican with Richard Marx – though in actuality crosses a young Californian with a slightly older Nashvillian. This song should advance Joshua a few steps further in his music career, if caught by the right people. Can I claim this as a third favorite, or am I being too greedy for just the one album?

With talent like this offered at the tender age of 22, you know there is something “major league” laying ahead for Joshua if he sticks with music in the future. Details for fans wishing to follow Joshua’s career, locate tour dates, or wanting to buy the “Starting Over” album can all be located at his website: http://www.joshuaarmstrong.net/