Album Mini-review: Andrew Joslyn — Awake at the Bottom of the Ocean
File next to: Pet Sounds era Beach Boys, Sufjan Stevens, Neutral Milk Hotel
Seattle area composer-arranger-violinist Andrew Joslyn has made a (slightly underground) name for himself lending his myriad talents to the work of other, more high-profile artists. He has worked with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Pedro the Lion’s David Bazan and Mark Lanegan, among many others. Joslyn also leads the Passenger String Quartet, and has done a great deal of film work. On Awake at the Bottom of the Ocean, Grammy Award-winning Joslyn enlists the help of a long list of musicians, creating a rich tapestry of baroque-leaning (yet not overly fussy) pop songs. Soul vocalist Will Jordan and regional sensation Shelby Earl are among the vocalists who expertly front the Autumn Radio Orchestra on this collection of a dozen lush originals. Wordless numbers like “She’s Gone to California” are achingly beautiful. Joslyn’s film background positions him well to create emotionally manipulative soundscapes (and that’s meant in the best possible way).
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.