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Josh Joplin — Matter
Album: Useful Music
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1106









Released: 1998
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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And so life continues
As matter does not disappear
And you are not the issue
In this the universal sphere

So turn off the light
Let night embrace and take you in
Sleep within it's wisdom

And dreams are not lost
They merely fall beneath the ashes
Of what is left to the soul
From where it starts to where it catches

And you must remember me
A plea from one who must be kept like
Some vacant thought
We fear to find, we can't regret

And you have become
The instant you believe you have
The memories, our aftermath

Dreams are not lost
They merely fall beneath the ashes
Of what is left to the soul
From where it starts to where it catches
And this is the time until it passes

You sleep deeper than I do
I keep thinking about you
Eyes tired and the night is impatient

It takes me under and I change the station
It takes me under and I change the station
It takes me under and I change the station
Though they may fade into the everyday

Dreams, dreams are not lost
They merely fall beneath the ashes
Of what is left to the soul
From where it starts to where it catches
And this is the time until it passes

Turn off the light
Let night embrace and take you in
Sleep within it's wisdom

And dreams are not lost
They merely fall beneath the ashes
Of what is left to the soul
From where it starts to where it catches
And this is the time until it passes, passes, passes
And this is the time until it passes, passes, passes
Comments (114)add comment
Yeah sure, a tad derivative as noted elsewhere here, but c'mon...that's some tasty chunky pop rock...
Posted 1 year ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
This is particularly Useful Music.
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 joko63808 wrote:

Sounds like REM (which I hate)




REM and Josh are crushed!
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 joko63808 wrote:

Sounds like REM (which I hate)

Sounds like Peter Murphy to me, whom I love.

Posted 1 year ago by nannimae    [ Reply ]
Sounds like REM (which I hate)
Posted 2 years ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
A 6.4 average rating on this song makes no sense to me. I'm usually aligned with the crowd but in this case I'm way divergent. Solid 9, pushing 10 here.
Posted 2 years ago by element1    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:

Nice to hear Scott's more poppy, 20th century style brother.


This joke got buried in the rest of your comment. Pulling it out because it's hilarious!
Posted 2 years ago by ProfessionalGeek    [ Reply ]
Hoist yer lighters doodz
Posted 2 years ago by wonderunit    [ Reply ]
I like it

8
Posted 3 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Though it's much better than REM, I have to rate it a 2 due to the 'too close to Michael Stipe' sounding vocals.
 
Although there is an unquestioned resemblance between artists, I'll approach it differently. An 8 for being capable of mimicking Michael Stipe well enough to cause confusion but with a much fresher delivery as a band. And this song has aged better  than a lot of REM's catalogue so 8 for enduring and remaining relevant.
Posted 4 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Though it's much better than REM, I have to rate it a 2 due to the 'too close to Michael Stipe' sounding vocals.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 andrew2112 wrote:
This is the first time I've heard this song.  I thought it was the Australian band Powderfinger.  Really good.
 

I love Powderfinger!
Posted 4 years ago by pompey9000    [ Reply ]
This is the first time I've heard this song.  I thought it was the Australian band Powderfinger.  Really good.
Posted 4 years ago by andrew2112    [ Reply ]
 texdillo63 wrote:
Why are all the comments so old? Reply if i'm looking at the wrong feed.
 
Try selecting the newest option up at the filter options! I think the default filter is popular to unpopular. Hope this helps! :)
Posted 5 years ago by GroovyPvG69    [ Reply ]
 pontfarrer wrote:
thought I was listening to REM .. not alone from the comments
 

I don't hear more than an ounce of REM. More Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Anyway, he's got his own sound, and it's pretty solid.  
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Why are all the comments so old? Reply if i'm looking at the wrong feed.
Posted 5 years ago by texdillo63    [ Reply ]
thought I was listening to REM .. not alone from the comments
Posted 5 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing a Glen Phillips influence or TOAD and Michael Stipe thrown in. It's ok...but if you want this style...why not listen to TOAD or R.E.M? It's useful music I guess. Good production and backing vocals. Nice to hear Scott's more poppy, 20th century style brother.
Posted 6 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Listening to this in the background, just assumed it was a lost R.E.M. track.

Then I scrolled through the rest of the comments to see I'm not alone. I'll lay good money that this chap spent a lot of time listening to Green.
Posted 6 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
The Tragically Hip comes to mind for me...
Posted 6 years ago by moonridge2001    [ Reply ]
I fully agree, it's quintessential R.E.M. 

Proclivities wrote:

He's put out over a dozen albums since 1989 and probably doesn't have to wait tables or paint houses in order to feed and house himself; it can't have been that bad for him.

 


Posted 7 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 drews wrote:
Too much REM is clearly not good for this guy

 
He's put out over a dozen albums since 1989 and probably doesn't have to wait tables or paint houses in order to feed and house himself; it can't have been that bad for him.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
hints of collective soul
Posted 7 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
I have not heard this before and I find this most excellent. Thanks Bill.
Posted 7 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
Image result for i like it gif
Posted 7 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Damn good song. 
Posted 8 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
You hear REM. I hear Peter Murphy. Anyway, you should all just listen to the song and the lyrics. He is his own song writer. 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Interesting. Getting hints of REM, Live, and something else that makes it better than both imho.
Posted 8 years ago by nevar23    [ Reply ]
Love early REM
Posted 8 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
Lighten up everyone. OK, it sounds a little like REM, but it's pretty good.
Posted 8 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
I hope Joplin has tried some decongestant since this recording, so nasal man
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Michael Stipes' evil super fan twin {#Think} 

6/10 at first blush

Posted 13 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
The kind of tune I usually enjoy, but this is a drag.
Posted 13 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
this is an interesting song. I like the lyrics, but clearing REM influenced mix.
Posted 13 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Man, this is bad.
 
Well that's your opinion, mine is different {#Tongue}
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Too much REM is clearly not good for this guy
Posted 14 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Love Josh Joplin! Super fun live show with CDs that have held up. Where is he at these days?
Posted 14 years ago by SilentCity    [ Reply ]
I like the lyrics, all angst-y and such.
Posted 14 years ago by Anax    [ Reply ]
 hilbink wrote:
Anybody else think this guy sounds like Peter Murphy of Bauhaus?
 

no

:)
Posted 14 years ago by olesonb    [ Reply ]
me too! but i like REM. I don't like this. it's kinda boring...

 yofitofu wrote:
I thought it was REM. But it has a very nice groove and I like it. 
 


Posted 14 years ago by jckearney    [ Reply ]
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
(Michael + Peter)/2 = Josh. Fixed.
 
wow.....

Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
(Michael + Peter)/2 = Josh. Fixed.
Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
Vocals= 1 , music=6.
6+1=7.
7/2 = 3.5.

I just can't help feeling 2 .
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
Has Stipe tried to sue this guy for ripping him off so poorly?
 
Can one rip off something already poor poorly? That would make it better, no?
Stipe ought to be kind to us all and have his vocal chords removed. 

Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
nice
Posted 15 years ago by BubbaGoose    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
I thought it was REM. But it has a very nice groove and I like it. 
 
I get the a 'LIVE' vibe but he does sound like Michael Stipe....{#Stupid}
Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
I thought it was REM. But it has a very nice groove and I like it. 
Posted 15 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
yes sort of does sound like a less emotional Michael Stipe. Pretty good, like to hear more
Posted 15 years ago by photosynthesis    [ Reply ]
Has Stipe tried to sue this guy for ripping him off so poorly?
Posted 15 years ago by j7    [ Reply ]
barf
Posted 15 years ago by brownbrown    [ Reply ]
 tracey wrote:
sweet song. def had to check the playlist as i was hearing REM and tragically hip in there..likes
 
There's a lot of REM in here - though it surely underlines how good REM is - "Sounds the same... but... not... nearly as compelling".

I like the riffing bridge in the middle, that gave it a notch up.

But, jeezus guys, repeating a really nice groove over and over again does not make it better.

Posted 15 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
Anybody else think this guy sounds like Peter Murphy of Bauhaus?
Posted 15 years ago by hilbink    [ Reply ]
sfearll wrote:
sounds like The Tragically Hip

But it's tragically not, and one can tragically tell.

Posted 15 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Man, this is bad.
Posted 15 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
sweet song. def had to check the playlist as i was hearing REM and tragically hip in there..likes
Posted 15 years ago by tracey    [ Reply ]
 borggrrl wrote:
I'm reminded of R.E.M., which isn't a bad thing at all.
 

Humm....it's certainly reminiscent of something. But I'm not hearing R.E.M.
Posted 15 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 borggrrl wrote:
I'm reminded of R.E.M., which isn't a bad thing at all.
 
No, it isn't (and I admit the similarity).

...But I think he's his own guy.

Remember, folks, just 'cause a piece of music trips a trigger in your brain does not detract from the validity of the piece.

(All music is derivative of something.)

Posted 15 years ago by conglif    [ Reply ]
I'm reminded of R.E.M., which isn't a bad thing at all.
Posted 15 years ago by borggrrl    [ Reply ]
Good Song, but it gets high rating because I love the Album which has some much better songs.  Great sing-a-long song for the car.
Posted 15 years ago by ghostcow    [ Reply ]
I have a record store promo of this CD and have also heard all of the major-label release (from which this version of this song is taken), and I much prefer the radio promo version that I have. To me, the major-label version is too slick-sounding & over-produced, whereas the first one sounds more..."honest"...for lack of a better word.


Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
There are better songs on this CD. This one is average to me.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
What I like about this album is that it came out at a time when everything on the radio was perfectly slick, soulless pop. It was refreshing to hear something unique, scratchy, slightly off-key and personal. Of course, the radio hasn't changed at all since then, but now I have an iPod and Radio Paradise, so who cares about that anymore?
Posted 16 years ago by natural_tools    [ Reply ]
I put it at 3. Ho-hum indeed.
Posted 16 years ago by bugleboy624    [ Reply ]
RadioDoc wrote:
To annoy you. Seems to be working. Back to the song...nothing great, nothing terrible. A solid 5.
I agree w/u both, solid five, bucking for a 1.
Posted 16 years ago by Chi_Guy    [ Reply ]
I really like the lyrics... but somehow it still manages to stay around average overall.
Posted 16 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
OHMish wrote:
A clean 1. Why is this played?
To annoy you. Seems to be working. Back to the song...nothing great, nothing terrible. A solid 5.
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
sounds like The Tragically Hip
Posted 16 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
I thought this was wolfsheim for a minute. Either way, 1
Posted 16 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
Moby Stipe.
Posted 16 years ago by MiketheKnife    [ Reply ]
OHMish wrote:
A clean 1. Why is this played?
It's so scary...
Posted 16 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
A clean 1. Why is this played?
Posted 16 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
"And all your weight, it falls on me, it brings me down."
Posted 16 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
blastmeh wrote:
Ew. The part where he does the "spoken word" thingy dropped this from a 3 to a 2.
Yep that got me, too. But the rest was okay so I'll leave it at a 5.
Posted 17 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
First listen to him, ever. I really like the sound of this. I could go for more....
Posted 17 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
Just gave JJ an 8,heared it over headphones,very fine prodding,internetradio just made me walk to the recordshop.
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
I'm sure we've all had a brush or two with some type of celebrity..it's just a fun little story...not bragging, or making any attempt to be cool--maybe if I was 16, but I'm in my 40's :-) Now if I was kicked back with Mick and Keef, there's a whole different story!
Posted 17 years ago by SgtPepper    [ Reply ]
MMM...sumthin's a brewin hear me thinks?davin wrote:
Actually I thought it was a pretty good story. What's your story pal?
Posted 17 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
99 wrote:
Wow, you know Josh Joplin? You're so cool.
Actually I thought it was a pretty good story. What's your story pal?
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
99 wrote:
Wow, you know Josh Joplin? You're so cool.
...and you're mean.
Posted 17 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
over-produced. sounds like the more recent stuff Moby likes to churn out. I can understand why some folks might go for this sound, but it's not to my taste. :(
Posted 17 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Wow, you know Josh Joplin? You're so cool. SgtPepper wrote:
Just a note to respond to a few posts I've seen here...Josh isn't related to Janis ( I think someone said "Janice",sic) Joplin. His real name, I guess is supposed to be a secret, so I won't "out " him. I WILL say that his first name IS Josh. I worked with Josh in the mid 80's in Maryland, before he did the "Greenwich Village/Atlanta" thing. At 15-16 years old he had a very sharp wit, and was one of the few people that could make me laugh out loud (I was used to being the "funny guy". I managed a restaurant, and Josh was a busboy/dishwasher for me. More than once we'd close up the bar, and with a few lingering employees around, sit and watch a little "Late Night with David Letterman" back when he was still on NBC--Josh could do a pretty good impression of Dave... Imagine my surprise in 2001(?) my wife (she'd been a waitress at the bar and knew Josh, too) and I were watching David Letterman, and there appears the Josh Joplin Group--hadn't heard of him in 14 years or so! Had a quick flashback to the restaurant, with Josh talking back to Letterman on the TV, cracking me up...just goes ta show, ya never can tell!
Posted 17 years ago by 99    [ Reply ]
Just a note to respond to a few posts I've seen here...Josh isn't related to Janis ( I think someone said "Janice",sic) Joplin. His real name, I guess is supposed to be a secret, so I won't "out " him. I WILL say that his first name IS Josh. I worked with Josh in the mid 80's in Maryland, before he did the "Greenwich Village/Atlanta" thing. At 15-16 years old he had a very sharp wit, and was one of the few people that could make me laugh out loud (I was used to being the "funny guy". I managed a restaurant, and Josh was a busboy/dishwasher for me. More than once we'd close up the bar, and with a few lingering employees around, sit and watch a little "Late Night with David Letterman" back when he was still on NBC--Josh could do a pretty good impression of Dave... Imagine my surprise in 2001(?) my wife (she'd been a waitress at the bar and knew Josh, too) and I were watching David Letterman, and there appears the Josh Joplin Group--hadn't heard of him in 14 years or so! Had a quick flashback to the restaurant, with Josh talking back to Letterman on the TV, cracking me up...just goes ta show, ya never can tell!
Posted 17 years ago by SgtPepper    [ Reply ]
i saw this kid up at woodstock back in 01. he was in the unfortunate position of opening for joseph arthur (a jackass, who took the stage late and then pranced around in a confused, narcissistic, hipster-doofus state) i liked him. real good singer songwriter, clever between song banter, nice guy.
Posted 17 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
I liked his song "camera one" got a lot of airplay back in the day.
Posted 18 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
REM? No ,but it's good!
Posted 18 years ago by Foreverfree    [ Reply ]
I hear the REM similarities, but his voice reminds me of Richard Shindell.
Posted 18 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
JCEntMan wrote:
Nope.
not a stupid question at all. I was wondering the same thing. "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." -Unk
Posted 18 years ago by kilroyjoe3    [ Reply ]
Zweiblumen wrote:
Sounds like Mike Stipe
My thoughts exactly!
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Ew. The part where he does the "spoken word" thingy dropped this from a 3 to a 2.
Posted 18 years ago by blastmeh    [ Reply ]
nick_valensi wrote:
stupid question... does he have anything to do with janis?
Nope.
Posted 18 years ago by JCEntMan    [ Reply ]
Back in 2001 Josh Joplin played a street fair in Fort Worth and I worked the event because the company I worked for was a big sponsor. Josh put on a half hour acoustic show in a hotel room for about 20 of us and I was really moved by one of his songs, though I can't remember what song. Took lots of pictures of him, from 2 feet away, lots of wailing singing closeups and I always wondered what happened to the guy, not just because I liked his music but because I wanted to be able to say "I took these photos back before he was a phenomenon." The guy is very talented and I guess it's record company whims that kept him from really making a mark, I dunno.
Posted 18 years ago by Essbee    [ Reply ]
Hey, Josh! I'd much rather hear your sister, Janice!
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
stupid question... does he have anything to do with janis?
Posted 18 years ago by nick_valensi    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Mike Stipe
Posted 18 years ago by Zweiblumen    [ Reply ]
crappy hook, mediocre lyrics, super-generic verse and chorus, lame outro. this is definitely the worst RP song of the night.
Posted 19 years ago by mettle    [ Reply ]
talented artist, nice guy, good sense of humor. puts on a really good show. saw him up in woodstock summer 01. opened for joseph arthur (total knucklehead; awful show;obnoxious;amateurish;over an hour late). josh totally stole the show.
Posted 19 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
yeah, it's hard to tell whether it's the sophomoronic lyrics or the holier-than-thou delivery that's reminding me of Live...
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
dignan2 wrote:
I thought it was Live. This is nothing special.
Me too. Ok, who was first to this sound - Joplin or Live ? :?:
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
reminds me a little of The Call
Posted 19 years ago by sugaree    [ Reply ]
Bless you for playing Josh Joplin Group! I never hear them anywhere but on my own CD's. Camera One is one of my favorites, never even thought to search for it here. Play More!
Posted 19 years ago by donitaann    [ Reply ]
First thing I've heard from this artist and I eagerly await MORE! :)
Posted 20 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Railbird wrote:
This did little for me...until I started listening to the lyrics:
The lyrics of all the Josh Joplin songs I've heard are outstanding. The music hooked me, too.
Posted 21 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]
I agree, To me they took the good aspects of R.E.M. but cut away the (considerable, IMO) fat.
Posted 21 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
Well, if Josh Joplin and/or his band are influenced by REM, so be it. Personally, I think it has more to do with the way Josh places his voice than anything else. He brings across more complex expression and writes better lyrics. The melody isn't bad either. I like the band more than I like REM. Good stuff, BillG.
Posted 21 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
REM clown...I mean clone.
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
This did little for me...until I started listening to the lyrics: And so life continues As matter does not disappear And you are not the issue In this the universal sphere So turn off the light Let night embrace and take you in Sleep within its wisdom and Dreams are not lost they merely fall beneath the ashes
Posted 21 years ago by Railbird    [ Reply ]
Live? Check your speakers, man, I think there\'s a bad connection. :) Definitely get the REM vibes others hear, though Josh actually has a decent career already. Good stuff.
Posted 21 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
I thought it was Live. This is nothing special.
Posted 21 years ago by dignan2    [ Reply ]
well that\'s a nice little surprise!
Posted 22 years ago by Flying_Donut    [ Reply ]
A nice song, it sounded like Richard Butler of P-Furs to me, but I also see a little REM.
Posted 22 years ago by bp13    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs I find banging around in my head long after I\'m away from my computer and RP. Thanks, Bill, for playing the stuff that never makes it to the commercial radio stations.
Posted 22 years ago by omboy    [ Reply ]