Joshua Path needs a new publicist (and if, as I suspect, he writes his own press stuff... um, he needs a new publicist). After reading about music that's as "catchy as lice" and as "gorgeous as a Victoria's Secret model", I was all set not to like the poor guy (that's the danger inherent in actually looking at press releases, but I have to read something with my coffee). However, a few spins of The Sugar Fields have blown away all the bad similes and replaced them with the realization that damn, this music really is as catchy as lice.

Four albums into his career, Path definitely knows his way around the record-making process. The Sugar Fields is polished and professional, its sound coming in somewhere between "male singer/songwriter" and "single-guy-fronted rock band". There are a couple of tunes, such as the live-recorded "The Night I Saw God" (complete with disinterested-crowd conversation in the background), that are stripped down to Path's voice, acoustic guitar and little else. However, for the most part these songs are fully arranged enough that you can easily picture them being played in your local arena.

Which is where they may be destined to end up. Path has a knack for familiar structure, hooks that won't quit and up-to-a-point stylistic diversity. There's a fair amount of straightforward rockin' and rollin', as in the summery CD opener "Find You First" and the rather Mellencampish "Gina's Electric Suicide" -- but then he'll throw in a funky "Kris Mussday" or a pretty, string-accented "Unnecessary Days", and each genre he tries on is equally likely to take up extended residence in your brain. Admittedly, his stuff is a little commercial... but it's sufficiently creative and well-done to avoid sounding as if it's trying to get popular by going over the same old well-trodden ground. Aside from the occasional "shit" slipping out in his lyrics, Path seems radio-ready... and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. Now all he needs is a decent bio. -- Sarah Zachrich
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I've been a fan of Joshua Path since before Headrush was an album.  This latest installment is not only brilliant lyrically but it musically as well.  The songs all flow together and weave a wonderful tale of searching, longing, loving and loosing (the path we all relate to).  Josh is an amazing talent and it totally baffles me that he isn't a huge star yet.  The girl who he wrote those songs about is one lucky chick!
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The first time I heard The Sugar Fields I thought "Wow! This album is fantastic!  It can't get much better than this."  Well, it did...when I listened to it again and again.  The Sugar Fields is a truly original work of art, by an extremely talented artist.  Every song is passionate and insightful, leaving me with the incredible urge to hit the repeat button on the CD player.  This album is a masterpiece, and I can only hope Joshua Path has many more to come!
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This is the most hopeful of Josh's CD's. It feels good, and shows his progression as an artist and with his personal love. "Laura Looks Left" and "Falling off the Earth" are my favorite tracks. This record still has that eerie feeling that all Josh's works have, but the melodies are sweeter and warmer. Please reprint How To Survive in Miami, Josh!
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