Let's Just Be
by Joseph Arthur
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 5 out of 16

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. HOWARDC
    Apr 18, 2007
    2
    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..
  2. FanThomas
    Apr 18, 2007
    1
    I used to love music of JA up to Redemption's Son and the tours following the release of this album. Since "Our shadow will remain", the artist is (is right on this point) the shadow of his prewious work and it is getting worst and worst. Even shows are less exciting. The last very poor album will not make me reconciliate with him.
  3. RichardH
    Apr 23, 2007
    6
    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 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.… Expand
  4. Laib
    Apr 17, 2007
    2
    Even as a huge fan, this cd is garbage! It sounds like Joseph and some friends got wasted one night and decided to record a record. The result is predictably bad: Simplistic lyrics, lousy singing and quickly arranged 'songs' make this easily the worse cd he's ever made. I hope Joseph doesn't take his fans for granted again.
  5. BobW
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    A great listen. Joseph at his best....
  6. EvanC
    Apr 19, 2007
    7
    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 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.… Expand
  7. Brynn
    Sep 22, 2007
    9
    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.
  8. RockQuark
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    Better than the last one....
  9. Matt
    Apr 17, 2007
    9
    While not as deepy personal/ poetic like other of his efforts, this album hold its own special place in Arthur's ever-growing catalogue. Oh, and the Lonely Astronauts...there are not enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe their musical bliss. 'Let's Just Be' is what music is all about...letting loose and having fun.
  10. GeraldW
    Apr 21, 2007
    4
    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
  11. JonnyK
    Apr 21, 2007
    2
    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.
  12. DanM
    Jul 17, 2007
    2
    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 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.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Paste Magazine
    70
    A chaotic mix of gorgeous T. Rex acoustic reveries, cheeky Stones-inflected rockers and studio-jam goofiness. [Apr 2007, p.55]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Unfortunately, Arthur drags his backing players through a good deal of hoarsely hollered filler between [the] peaks. [20 Apr 2007, p.62]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »