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Entertainment Weekly

Unfortunately, Arthur drags his backing players through a good deal of hoarsely hollered filler between [the] peaks. [20 Apr 2007, p.62]

Los Angeles Times

Some more outré passages could have benefited from mad-scientist tinkering. But the mad-Mick Jagger that Arthur affects on the nasty "Cocaine Feet" and elsewhere is still nicely twisted.

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Billboard

There are fewer memorable moments here than on his solo albums, but it's still nice to hear him taking risks. [21 Apr 2007]

Alternative Press

A diverse collection that often has a life force all its own. [Jun 2007, p.150]

Paste Magazine

A chaotic mix of gorgeous T. Rex acoustic reveries, cheeky Stones-inflected rockers and studio-jam goofiness. [Apr 2007, p.55]

Stylus Magazine

Let’s Just Be is as poppy and willfully idiosyncratic as Arthur’s older work, but is both more conventionally arranged and more loose-limbed than ever before.

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Spin

A sweaty, first-take orgy that sometimes suggests Tom Waits fronting the Stones, only clumsier. [May 2007, p.84]

All Music Guide

There's an air of sloppy experimentation, of demos and B-sides and other things that probably won't interest more than the heartiest fan.

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Boston Globe

A wildly uneven record.

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Pitchfork

There are a few quality tracks among these 16-- enough for a pretty good EP-- but this is an 80-minute album with at least an hour of stuff on it that sounds at best like studio outtakes.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 5.9 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Brynn gave it a9:
I live for live music and i love the loose feel of this album. hearing these new songs at the shows made me fall in love. i guess everyone sees things differently.

Dan M gave it a2:
Big fan of his past work and live shows, but this album is a piece of crap. A few decent tracks here, but overall this should be a giveaway of B-sides and outtakes. No one should be charged money for this, there's so little effort in its creation. I'm ok if he wants to change sounds and styles, but put some effort in to the recording. Maybe it should have been released under a different name, to avoid scamming long time fans into buying it.

Richard H gave it a6:
On comparison with his earlier albums this one leaves me feeling a bit empty. Most of the beauty is gone from Arthur's signature sound on this disk and it's replaced by a dry, arid sound that is slightly cold and impersonal. While it feels like the band was making a shot at a 'rock' record, it is the softer moments that stand out. There are still worthwhile songs on the disk, just don't expect to hear the Joseph Arthur that you've grown to know through the years.

Jonny K gave it a2:
I am a big fan of the music of Joseph Arthur, but was very disappointed with his new record. It seems Joseph Arthur got stoned with his friends and made a record. The record is a big mess! I hope his second record coming out this year is not has bad as this one.

Gerald W gave it a4:
Disappointing to say the least. Seems he could use a good producer and editor. Redemption's Son is still an all time classic album though

Evan C gave it a7:
Diamond Ring, Good Life, Precious One, Spacemen, Take Me Home, Chicago, Lack a Vision, Gimmie Some Company, and Star Song are all reminiscent of past Arthur albums. As a long time fan, I was surprised at the change in pace, but not overall happy with the results. The 20 minute 33 sec piece that is "Lonely Astronaut" is incomprehensible. It truly DOES sound like they snorted some Cocaine "references to Cocaine Feet and Diamond Ring, also to the needles in Nuclear Daydream - anyone?) and decided to play a jam session. I appreciate Mr. Arthur for his exceptional lyrics, instrumentations, and so forth. This CD does not fill me up the way the others did - and it was all probably because of "Lonely Astronaut", a 20 minute break in what would be a fairly good CD, considering the expertise of the other musicians. Worth the buy, but I'd skip over Lonely Astronaut.

HOWARD C gave it a2:
terribly disappointing, I have all his stuff and he is a terrific lyricist and can always find a good melody, neither of which are evident here. i understand the band thing with the simple, raw approach, but you still need the songs. i'll still wait for the next one..

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Let's Just Be

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