John Doe

The Golden State

Photo: Americansongwriter.com

Good morning!

Today we’re listening to “The Golden State” by John Doe

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There’s no question John Doe is a talented artist. His voice is one of the finest of his generation, and he knows his way around a lyric. But his solo work often gets overshadowed by his time with X.

They are/were a seminal band, but it’s as if he’s been typecast. I couldn’t find a single review that didn’t mention his former band, and as a 10,000th spoon, I even did it here.

2007’s A “Year in the Wilderness” comes as a turning point, the time when he finally cast his old persona aside and became a fully formed solo artist. The music stands on its own despite the world trying to compare it to his past work.

Still, on tracks like The Golden State, traces of the band shine through. Listening to his voice blend with Kathleen Edwards, it’s easy to imagine Exene Cervenka in her place.

“The Golden State” sees Doe as soulful as ever but more measured and at ease with the world. He might still be in California, but this is a world away from Los Angeles.

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More:

If you’re looking for the young punk from X, you have come to the wrong album. He still rocks but Wilderness is, more importantly, the sound of man on a journey of identity.

Read the rest of the review here.

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Listen:

“The Golden State” by John Doe | A Year in the Wilderness, 2007

Click the record to listen on your platform of choice.

What’d you think of this one? Good, bad, meh? Share your thoughts below!

Thanks for being here,

Kevin—

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