The Rock and the Tide

iTunes Review

With Joshua Radin’s third LP, the Cleveland singer/songwriter eschews much of the restrained approach found on his former albums to create something a little more upbeat and lively. Electric guitars are bolstered by a bigger presence of a drum kit and a pedaling bass which all come together nicely to contrast Radin’s milky smooth singing inflections — this is more noticeable on the chorus with Radin’s impassioned melodies. “Here We Go” moves with seductive rhythms as a distorted synth line intertwines with vibrant guitar leads making for a tune that’s actually danceable before a more angular post-punk inspired beat ushers in the catchy and driving “We Are Only Getting Better.” The title-track downshifts with a romantic ditty that’s a little too hip to be called a ballad, especially with those '60s-sounding guitar parts on the break, giving the song a hushed cool that would sound right at home on a mix between Jack Johnson and Neil Halstead.