By Parker Knoll

Joseph Arthur continues his ascent. And even as a solo artist it’s refreshing that Arthur isn’t even trying to steal Jack Johnson’s surfboard. His off-the-wall vocals begin on a deliberately shaky basis, crawling over minimalist guitars before crashing into a haunting, leftfield chorus that just grabs you by the throat. You just need to listen to the songs final refrain, lifted by walls of fuzzy guitars to appreciate that Joseph Arthur is really quite far from being just an ordinary singer/songwriter.

(from Manchester Music)

Joseph Arthur – Can’t Exist

Joseph Arthur will release Can’t Exist on May 1, across three 7” vinyls with different versions of the lead track, and two brand new studio recordings as b-sides. This single will be Joseph’s first full, chart-eligible release. The track, in original form, can be found on Joseph’s excellent album, Our Shadows Will Remain. Fans can catch Joseph when he plays a one-off date at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on June 1.

Order the album l Album review l The best albums of 2005

(from IndieLondon)

Joseph Arthur: 'Can't Exist'
Released on Monday, May 1 2006 - by Miriam Zendle

Whereas Arthur's last musical effort was a raspingly annoying track that turned the listener off rather too quickly, Can't Exist is simply a big improvement.

Much more gentle than Devil's Broom, Arthur employs soft drums and low, twanging guitars rather than overpower the record with too much sound. The verses sound jaunty and summery, allowing Arthur to pound a little more energy into the chorus; thicker vocals and thicker guitars provide a nice contrast.

The track seems to be based around Arthur telling those he loves how he feels, noting: "I can't exist/When you disappear/I disintegrate/I will wait for you, mother/I will wait for you, father/I will wait for you, sister/I will wait for you, brother." It allows the listener to believe they are really hearing Arthur's own sentiments, and as such, makes the record much more accessible.

At this rate of improvement, Arthur's next single looks to be a smash.

4/5

(www.digitalspy.co.uk)

Single Review > Joseph Arthur > Can't Exist
Score: 7

Can’t Exist is the new single from Joseph Arthur. It starts off all soft stripped down using acoustic guitars with Arthur’s husky vocals over the top but the song slowly develops into a heavier more moody sound with the aid of electric guitars by the time the chorus kicks in. This pattern continues to weave its way through the song whilst maintaining a fairly slow tempo creating a mesmerising and easily listenable piece

by Craig Evans
(from ComfortComes.com)

Joseph Arthur - Can't Exist (14th Floor)

The musicians who Joseph Harper(sic) has rubbed shoulders with reads like a who's who of megastars - Michael Stipe, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin and Dolly Parton to name but a few. Perhaps they helped to finance this most impressive of packages which although it only contains a single track, has a full booklet and gatefold DVD sized case to keep you occupied.

The musings of Arthur are pleasantly warming and build into quite an uplifting finale on 'Can't Exist'. Can't help (thinking) this may be like the famous New Order packaging for Blue Monday though - losing Factory Records money for every copy sold.

SB
(from tastyfanzine.org.uk)

Hmmmm.... a couple of typos in this little piece and I guess they are talking about the packaging for the promo-only CD

'ARTHUR, JOSEPH', 'CAN'T EXIST'
- Label: '14TH FLOOR RECORDINGS (www.josepharthur.com)'
- Genre: 'Rock' - Release Date: '1st May 2006'- Catalogue No: 'PR015786'

Our Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

The super-talented JOSEPH ARTHUR seems to be coming unassailably up on the celebrity rails these days. Becoming famous as the guy who paints canvases ‘tween songs at his lauded live shows, he’s about to publish his first book “We Almost Made It” – compiling his paintings and drawings – and recently no less a patron than REM’S Michael Stipe released a charity EP with six versions of Arthur’s song “In The Sun”, with the proceeds going directly to aid those in the Gulf Coast affected by the Hurricane Katrina tragedy last November.

Of course, Arthur pieced together his superb album “Our Shadows Will Remain” in the stricken city of New Orleans and – taken from it - new single “Can’t Exist” (packaged in yet another gorgeous, lavish gatefold sleeve) is yet another slowburning slice of wondrousness from the man who the estimable Greg Dulli recently told me has the ability to “pull diamonds from the air.”

As usual, my hat’s off to Mr.D, too, as “Can’t Exist” is suitably rueful, redemptive and emotive, with guitars from the E-bowed, The Edge-style school and the chorus making a gear change up to a dangerous fifth. Indeed, when Joe notes “I can’t explain how I lost a thousand dollars on the street again” for a few seconds it sounds like the saddest thing you’ve ever heard.

So, at four minutes and three seconds, it’s just about perfect – again. Regardless of how good his canvases are, it’s surely Joseph Arthur’s aural Guernicas that will be poured over for years yet to come.

Author: TIM PEACOCK (from whisperinandhollerin)

Joseph Arthur
Can’t Exist
Single Review

9/10

At school there are always a number of kids who dream of just being creative and artistic for their whole lives. They’re going to slip in and out of cities and suck up culture as they float around the world penning spellbinding songs on their battered old acoustic guitar. Once they’ve left they normally become Accountants, and so a hybrid like Joseph Arthur is a treasured rarity.

Many artists try to write music, and too many musicians think they can paint. Thankfully Arthur is adept at both, and has even at recent gigs painted on stage during songs, “there’s a sort of energy that gets into a painting you do live when there’s a time limit”.
His new album ‘Our Shadows Will Remain’, is testament to his versatility and the next single ‘Can’t exist’, is a glorious example of why many people are anticipating that he will scale new heights in 2006.

A subtle beginning of organ and guitar and Arthur’s voice (that sounds like he practices by smoking 40 cigars a day and has swallowed the souls of various legends like BB King and Mick Jagger), can’t prepare you for the crescendo into the chorus. Wailing backing vocals harmonious blend with powerful driving electric drums and sumptuous guitar tracks.

Breaking back into the verse, you can’t help but want to hear the above again, and you won’t be disappointed, except when the song ends!

Set for release in May, ‘Can’t Exist’ should see Arthur propel up above the over saturated mediocre sing/songwriters that seem to inhabit afternoon radio, and into the top echelons. Someone turn off Jack Johnson and tell Sting to put that paintbrush down.

Elliott Bambrough

(from Contactmusic)

Joseph Arthur - Can't Exist
Paul Whitlam

8/10

Great! I think as I peruse the press release - another singer/songwriter to bore us; switching from tales of lost love, to annoying incessant happiness. Just what the world needs.

But then you actually listen to this record, and you think actually this really isn't half bad. It's almost like Mark Owen's last album 'How The Mighty Fall'. Tweak that with a little Martin Grech, at his happiest and your halfway there.

It's a pop record with just enough guitars and energy to actually sound honest and original. It still manages to feel like this has come from one man, his vision, his passion, and not that of a band.

Yes, Michael Stipe choosing to cover one of his songs will bring interest, but when you're making music this good, the music really does speak for itself.

(from Designer Punk)

Joseph Arthur: 'Can't Exist'
by Miriam Zendle

4/5

Whereas Arthur's last musical effort was a raspingly annoying track that turned the listener off rather too quickly, Can't Exist is simply a big improvement.

Much more gentle than Devil's Broom, Arthur employs soft drums and low, twanging guitars rather than overpower the record with too much sound. The verses sound jaunty and summery, allowing Arthur to pound a little more energy into the chorus; thicker vocals and thicker guitars provide a nice contrast.

The track seems to be based around Arthur telling those he loves how he feels, noting: "I can't exist/When you disappear/I disintegrate/I will wait for you, mother/I will wait for you, father/I will wait for you, sister/I will wait for you, brother." It allows the listener to believe they are really hearing Arthur's own sentiments, and as such, makes the record much more accessible.

At this rate of improvement, Arthur's next single looks to be a smash.

(from Digital Spy)

You can comment on this review on their site!

Can't Exist - Joseph Arthur Single Review

Joseph Arthur releases his new single ‘Can’t Exist’ on May 1 through 14th Floor Records. Taken from Arthur’s critically acclaimed 2005 album ‘Our Shadows Will Remain’, which saw him embark on his own headlining European tour, this single will answer all and any questions you may have if you are not familiar with Mr. Arthur and his oeuvre. It’s too honest, too full of integrity to be labelled “pop”, in much the same way that anyone should be reluctant to accuse Bruce Springsteen of performing “pop” music. But despite everything screaming that Joseph Arthur should by rights join Ryan Adams and a few others in the “superstar-not-chart-star” league, this remains one of the best pop songs I’ll hear this year.

After a smart, clean intro Arthur’s gravely, soaked-in-Jack-Daniels voice comes in with lyrics that are clear and paint a vivid picture of love, longing and mutual dependence. Yes, I know – it’s been done before, but Joseph hasn’t told you HIS version of events; trust, you won’t mind hearing his version as well. You’ll probably want to offer him a cup of tea along with your sympathetic ear, such is the way he puts across what it is he has to say (all very palatable: no long words, no vomit-inducing clichés). Then, somehow, somewhere, the guitars kick in - bordering on the crushingly heavy (think Dinosaur Jnr’s J Mascis jamming with Garbage – you’ll be close) – without affecting the pop sensibilities of the song in the slightest. Does Joseph Arthur deal in alt-country pop-metal? Is he the only man alive who could blend the elements this successfully? I’d stand up and applaud his efforts, but he’s sly enough to lace the track with some mysterious alchemy that means that you’ll want to listen to it again and again and again without really knowing what it is that you are wanting to hear. I’m going to say that I’m enamoured with the world’s heaviest pop song, that’s my excuse.

Outstanding.
Alex Kaupa

(from AllGigs)

Single review - JOSEPH ARTHUR - CAN'T EXIST

Can't Exist
14th FLOOR RECORDS/VECTOR
Recorded at The Nappy Dugout, New Orleans
Produced by Joseph Arthur and Ken Rich
RELEASED>May 3rd 2006

Another in the ever expanding list of good reasons why Joseph Arthur deserves to be a huge star - CAN'T EXIST is the latest single to be taken from his superb AND OUR SHADOWS WILL REMAIN album.
More lush orchestral pop, CAN'T EXIST finds Arthur at perhaps his most overtly radio friendly, a multi-layered song covered in swathes of orchestral silk and washes of majestic synth noise; all climaxing in a chorus that's more infectious than anything he's produced to date.
One of the most captivating and charismatic live performers you'll come across today, genius songwriter, artist - Joseph Arthur continues to surprise and amaze. With CAN'T EXIST, he probably deserves to add pop star to that list of accolades.

by Mike Bond
(from ukmusicsearch)

Joseph Arthur - Can’t Exist

Natascha Kilts

Can’t Exist is the latest single by singer song-writer Joseph Arthur taken from the highly acclaimed album Our Shadows Will Remain. To describe the song as a juxtaposition would be about right: Arthur’s smoky voice ranges from a soft whisper to a grief-stricken yowl while the song itself has a grimy edge with a gospel aura. Its rich layers and a guitar driven chorus brings it together nicely.

(from Student Direct - Manchester)

Arthur Returns
Tue May 2 06:03:30 2006
by Christine Miller

Rated 9 out of 13

Not content to have achieved fame as what Vanity Fair described as "one of our most emotionally revealing and talented songwriters", New York-based singer songwriter, Joseph Arthur is about to publish his first book, 'We Almost Made It', documenting some of the paintings and drawings that he has taken to creating during live performances, but not before he returns with another single to taken from last year's critically acclaimed album, 'Our Shadows Will Remain'.

'Can't Exist' is a much more upbeat track than you might be expecting from someone with Arthur's reputation for revealing, emotional honesty; here you'll find shuffling up-tempo drum beats and driving guitars that blur with harsh synthesised sounds and big vocals in the song's noisy chorus. However, fans of melancholic, singer songwriter-types need fear not, as Arthur's characteristically searching and emotive voice is still there to pull on your heartstrings in the more brooding verses.

Fans of Joseph Arthur might also be interested to know that the single, released on 1st May will coincide with his major headline London date on 1st June, that follows up February's sold-out Shepherd's Bush show.

(from RoomThirteen.com)

Can’t Exist: Joseph Arthur

This is essentially another guitar pop gem from one of the strangest and arguably most talented singer/songwriters around at the moment. Although maybe not as strong as his previous singles and indeed his album ‘Our Shadows Will Remain’, ‘Cant exist’ remains a stunningly written and performed track. Arthur’s melodic prowess is equalled only by his superb voice, and if you haven’t fallen in love with him yet, what are you waiting for?!

4/5 - JM

(from Wessex Scene)

JOSEPH ARTHUR Can't Exist (14th Floor Records 2006)

Can't Exist is the latest single to be drawn from Joseph Arthur's exquisite Our Shadows Will Remain album. It's intelligent, articulate and beautiful - melodic singer-songwriter rock of the highest order - up there with Ryan Adams and The Boss. Seriously classy stuff. ****

Review by Pete Whalley
(from getreadytorock.com)