Josh Pyke
Album: The Beginning And The End Of Everything
Label: Ivy League
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.joshpyke.com

The first thing to say about this album is that it is very very nice. Well produced and exceedingly listenable. It will not blow your socks off but it will give you hours of melodic listening. The album is packed with wonderful melodies, delightfully yet simply played from a very imaginative and talented artist.

When I received the album to review I tweeted Josh to ask if he was influenced by Justin Hayward. He replied that he may have been subliminally but not consciously. The reason for the question was that at least two of the tracks seem to emanate from Justin's songbook and musical style. That is intended as a real complement as he is one of my favourite male artists. Another favourite from years ago is Clifford T Ward and one of the tracks on this album could have been written and sung by Clifford too. This all makes for the type of album that typifies my taste in music and at the moment I am finding it difficult not to listen to it at every opportunity. I started my review on the train to London the other day, listening to it on my iPod, and was suddenly aware that not only were my feet tapping along with the music but I was humming along too. This is not a good thing to do in the quiet coach of the East Coast train from York to London, but what the hell! At least they did not throw me off the train.

The music is an eclectic mix of soft rock, folk and a touch of country so should appeal to most music lovers. The lyrics are thoughtful especially on the title track which is one of the most imaginative love songs I have heard it in a long time. If you like harmonies, and I do, listen to the opening track "Bug Eyed Beauty." It really sets the tone for the rest of the album and even has a slight Christmassy feel to it. A beautiful if too short song. "Leeward side" is a real foot tapper as are "Feet of Clay" and "Horse's head." "Warm in Winter" is just simply a fabulous song. Listen to the subtle guitar work and wonderful harmonies on "All the very best of us."

As you may have gathered, I just love this album which certainly ranks in the top three of my favourite albums of 2014.

So who is Josh Pyke? Josh Pyke is one of Australia's premier singer/songwriters. Josh's breakthrough single was Middle of the Hill, which made it to #19 on triple j's 2005 Hottest 100 countdown and appeared on his debut release, a mini album entitled Feeding The Wolves.

Josh followed up Feeding The Wolves with the 2007 release of his debut album Memories & Dust, which hit the ARIA chart at #4. The Gold record, hailed a "classic" by The Daily Telegraph and "world-class" by The Age, was acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It took out three ARIA Awards and was nominated for a J Award.

His second album Chimney's Afire debuted at #3 on the ARIA chart, won an ARIA Award and achieved Gold sales, which was followed by the 2011 release of Josh's third album, Only Sparrows.

Now we have Josh's third album reviewed here and what a terrific album it is.

In addition to his musical endeavours, Josh is an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and has recently reached his goal of raising $50,000 for the organisation through his Busking for Change charity event.

Josh is just about to start on a UK tour, the dates of which can be found herehttp://joshpyke.com/joshpyke/live/Go and see him and listen to a master of classy music at work.

Rory Stanbridge