It's only been a few months since Joseph Arthur hooked up with his new band, but the change has been nothing short of spectacular. Not only has the band -- which includes guitarist/keyboardist Golden Smog's Kraig Jarret Johnson, guitarist Jen Turner from Furslide, bassist Sybil Buck and drummer Greg Wiz from Telescope -- made songs from Arthur's already-excellent "Nuclear Daydream" (Lonely Astronaut) even livelier, it has freed Arthur from the meticulous creation of loops and atmospherics that he was previously known for and let him stretch as a performer.
At Southpaw Friday night, Arthur and his band played up the Bowie-ness and Jagger-osity of "Nuclear Daydream" songs like "Slide Away" and "Electrical Storm," while reimagining "You Are Free" and "Enough to Get Away" with Clash-like ferocity.
He also unveiled a new, awesome invention: using rolls of toilet paper on a broom as streamers, blown out into the audience with a leaf blower. As if he needed any more help with turning his appearance into one of the best shows, not just of CMJ, but of the year.
Listen to Joseph Arthur live on WNYC's Soundcheck here