catalog albums

WANDERLUST (2018)
TRANSITIONS (2016)
THREE (2013)
SO WIRED (2011)
BUILD A FIRE (2009)

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WANDERLUST (2018)

Wanderlust is Joe Eglash's fifth solo album, and second in a row (along with 2016's Transitions) to offer a strong theme: in this case, wanderlust, contentedness, and the pursuit of happiness. This is real music of human imperfection, for those living with their eyes open, dealing with all of our common trials—fighting the waves away.

Wanderlust has the potential to change you; to give you that muscle memory of a time in your life when you discover a great album.

 
 

FULL OF WANDERLUST

Remember when a great album marked a time in your life and the sound of those songs stayed with you forever? Joe Eglash's new album, Wanderlust, might be that album. Open your mind and arms and let its songs in.

Got to keep moving, movement is soothing... And so, on this, Joe Eglash's fifth self-contained solo album (completely performed, arranged, produced, recorded, and mixed by Joe), the continuing journey and growth of his songwriting and production have come far yet again. Pristine, clear Jeff Lynne-inspired production mixes with impeccable songwriting and performances showing the range and restraint of a pro.

Wanderlust opens with the Petty-Wilburys-Harrison-Springsteen-ELO-esque groove of Every Day I Wake Up, containing deceivingly-complex themes of aging and shpilkes. The anthemic head-bobber Everything Is Clear shows off Joe's Mayfield-McCartney falsetto conveying some of the heaviest themes of any Eglash tune to date. Power pop daydreams like Gotta Wonder, What Can I Do, or the title track are caught somewhere between Sgt. Pepper, Live at Budokan and, as a close musician friend of Joe's said, "lost tracks from the never-made third Jellyfish album."

Everything on Joe's album is played live, with his own hands—no samples, loops, or chicanery of any sort—just musicianship. Instruments like the Turkish baglama, octave mandolin, or lap steel guitar sound real because Joe actually plays them on songs like the last-minute addition Buy You a Rose, Celtic-inspired Father and Mother, and prog-rock slick album-closer Feels Like Being Loved. Fighting the Waves Away, the end of the first 'side' of the album, is an elegiac statement of human failure, love, fear, and dealing with heavy emotion, with a jazzy funk groove. Rockers borne of Cheap Trick, the Kinks, and the Stones contain, upon repeated listening, many layers of musical and lyrical depth and uncommon sensitivity.

Wanderlust feels like an aural-emotional home; real music of human imperfection for those living with their with eyes open, dealing with all of our common trials, and fighting the waves away.

 
 
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Wanderlust

by Joe Eglash
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TRANSITIONS (2016)

Transitions has the feel of a double vinyl album: Depth, variation – timelessness. Joe Eglash's fourth and longest solo album, it is the work of a lifetime in music; every word and every note, all of which Joe plays himself, has 10,000 hours behind it.

 
 

ART IS THE BEST THERAPY.

The liner notes say, "TRANSITIONS is living proof that art is the best therapy."

In this, Joe Eglash's fourth solo album, there is a common thematic thread running through all 16 songs: The transitions we all experience in our lives. The highs, the lows; the refreshing, the forced; the necessary ones.

He continues, "Suffice it to say that for humans, transitions are damn tough. Yet it's the transitions that are the hardest but deepest part of life."

In the lush musical atmosphere of this album, Joe continues his prowess as a one-man-band, playing all instruments and singing and writing everything. The influences, as always, run the gamut: From the opening track, the precise and catchy "We All Stay the Same" (reflecting Jeff Lynne/Traveling Wilburys-style production), to the closer, a Rush-meets-XTC-meets-Kinks rocker called "All Our Time Is Nearly Gone", Eglash's groove boasts loose precision and his songwriting is unforgettable.

Brave, deeply emotional musical and lyrical statements appear alongside love letters to friends, family, and to mysterious figures we all can recognize in our own lives. TRANSITIONS is Joe Eglash's longest album, but is crafted like a well-written novel, holding your attention closely from beginning to end.

Adding to a catalog of strong and impactful music, these evocative tunes, when dug into, offer the listener a chance to succumb to an album that may change you, and create a new transition in your life.

 
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Transitions

by Joe Eglash
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THREE (2013)

More than any music Joe Eglash has previously made, THREE puts forth a fully-exposed, soulful collection of songs that were inspired by the highs and lows of adult life in our unfocused world. Immense-sounding tracks, packed with sing-along choruses and virtuosically-played instruments are juxtaposed by stripped-down, mellow acoustic statements, all of which provide a highly-memorable, life-affirming listening experience.

 

THE MAGIC NUMBER

Continuing the trend of his first two solo albums, 2009's BUILD A FIRE and 2011's SO WIRED, THREE was written, recorded, produced, and mixed by Joe Eglash, alone, in his studio. (He says it's not as lonely as it sounds). With equal proficiency on guitar, bass, drums, sax, keyboard, and other instruments, the waves of music in Joe's mind can be translated into succinct, breathtaking performances, by playing and recording everything with his own hands (and feet).

Opening the album is the Lord of the Rings-inspired Getting By (Frodo), followed by the catchy Sentence, both invigorating and fast-paced. Faith, the third, key track on the album, is the most personal and emotional musical statement Joe Eglash has ever made. These first three tracks will hook you for the remaining nine; and convince you to dig deep into this deep musical world.

THREE is a magic number.

 

I Wanted You To Know is not the automatic choice for a single from THREE. Getting By (Frodo), Sentence, or maybe Faith or The Great Designare more radio-friendly.

But my wife Kari, my most trusted critic (and also the subject of this song), heard something unique and intangible, as did some other close friends. I guess there are some universal messages in the song. Musically, it's different than anything I've ever done: there are no guitars or bass (!). Also, a necessary shout-out to my soul bro Matt (Evan) Wolkenstein, who sang unison with me on the bridge ("...Some of the time I give you all of my time...").

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Three by Joe Eglash

by Joe Eglash
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SO WIRED (2011)

The majesty of U2 and timelessness of the Beatles inform the array of addictive melodies found on Joe Eglash’s powerful sophomore effort, SO WIRED. These focused power-pop songs are heavily layered and meticulously arranged, offering the listener a dreamy escape from daily drudgery.

 

and 20 guitars later…

The songs of SO WIRED live at a crossroads of experiential storytelling and self-awareness, in the vein of Randy Newman and Bob Dylan. In his lyric writing, Eglash has created a world of contemporary American character sketches that evoke images of people we know; of personalities with whom we’re familiar.

In the tradition of self-contained artists from Paul McCartney to Brendan Benson, Eglash plays every instrument on the album. Original in nature, his music subtly conveys a rooting in classic rock with elements of pop, world, and jazz. From light-spirited tunes like October to the epic I Want Me, Eglash writes a musical love letter to influences ranging from the Stones to the Beach Boys to the Band.

Of SO WIRED, Eglash says, “The challenge for me on this album was to write characters that would reflect different aspects of my personality and life, but at the same time, do things and say things that I wouldn’t. And musically, I wanted to indulge in some of my recording fantasies – layering 20 guitars on a part, like Brian May, or stacking endless harmonies, like Brian Wilson. I had a blast.”

 

When My Life Is Done, the first single from 2011's SO WIRED. I shot this in VideoSongs format - a technique popularized (and maybe started) by indie heroes Pomplamoose, and more specifically, the male half of that group, Jack Conte. If you haven't checked out Jack's solo work and Pomplamoose's catalog, do so immediately!

VideoSongs are a way of documenting the recording of a song - sharing an otherwise personal, intense experience with others. It was fun to do, but I have to say that my calling seems to clearly be on the musical, rather than visual, side of things.

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SO WIRED

by Joe Eglash
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BUILD A FIRE (2009)

BUILD A FIRE represents a full circle in the musical life of Joe Eglash - after years working on either side of the music industry. Matured, hook-filled songwriting matched with a one-man-band mentality to produce a landmark, dynamic debut solo recording. The title track has become an anthem of fatherhood and family.

 

BUILD A FIRE IS JOE EGLASH’S DEBUT SOLO ALbUM.

Recorded in 2008-9, BUILD A FIRE boasts live instruments all played by Joe. Recorded in vintage fashion with live takes and Queen-like overdubs, new ground is tread upon with a horizon of hooks, grooves, and harmonies. BUILD A FIRE lies somewhere between the Beatles, the Who, and the Stones, with a well-crafted sheen close to Jellyfish and XTC.

__TESTIMONIALS

KOOL KAT MUSIC "Guitars ring as the chords arc upward; insistent, and arousing drumbeats backdrop Joe's gracefully-soaring vocals. We happen to like it because it's so rich in complex arrangements, is pastoral, emotional and can trigger the imagination. The wealth of his creativity is immediately obvious as the record quotes eloquently from 60's-style British pop, but adds elements of jazz, all produced and layered to perfection. To our ears, Joe plays slightly quirky and intelligent pop with shades of Squeeze and the Beatles. It is an album that feels like a single, organic whole, yet each song is a vital, essential piece. Start to finish, the songs one after another are a delight; continually surprising...this is one fine album that has to be listened to from start to finish and then back again. If you like quirky yet rich and eclectic sound, then this album will not let you down. EXCELLENT!!!"

NOT LAME RECORDS "Influences are subtle but point in the direction of where Eglash`s heart and soul lie: XTC, They Might Be Giants, and Jellyfish on a more acoustic bent. His sweet, unaffected folksy acoustic pop combines with crisp and woozily light-hearted but powerful hooks. This is some seriously tasty stuff that manages to break out flairs of originality and extreme competence in the musicianship department ---- and, then, to sew them together making this a fresh and always mightily enjoyable listen."

 

Title track and single from 2009's BUILD A FIRE. Thrilled to share my first music video for the single and title track from BUILD A FIRE. I wrote the song as a message for my daughter (you can see a picture flash quickly at the end of me holding her after her birth in '06) - life lessons from Daddy to Ari.

I had the idea to satirize the convention of American parenting, so I dug up some PSAs from the 50's and 60's, spliced 'em up, and tried to tell a story with them. There's some hilarious stuff if you watch closely - it's so stunning what people thought (think?) they should teach their kids.

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Build a Fire

by Joe Eglash