Album: Graveyard of Dreams
Artist: Joseph Pagano
Sometimes It’s amazing where life can take us. One moment we find ourselves following one track, only to be nudged onto another track entirely. Joseph Pagano is one such person.
It seemed that music was always in Joseph’s life. Over the years his life’s journey brought him in contact with musical legends like Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor and Judas Priest’s lead singer Rob Halford.
Beginning his music career in New Jersey, Joseph started out by playing with his high school band Junior’s Farm, with whom he won a Beatles sound-alike contest. Graveyard of Dreams is Joseph’s first EP, written over the course of several years. Drawing from life experiences, Joseph’s music is like a combination between Brit-rock, Americana, and classic rock and roll. If you are a fan of The Beatles, Jon Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, and Guns and Roses then be sure to check out Joseph Pagano.
The EP is a short seven tracks, but each song is packed with such a powerful sound that Joseph’s talents are perfectly showcased.
If I had to pick just one track on the EP to share with you, it would have to be “Little Girls”. By far the cutest song that I have ever heard, Joseph sings about the joy and love that his two daughters have brought into his life. While the lyrics are beautiful and touching, it is the story behind the song that makes it stand out. When the track was being recorded, Joseph’s daughters walked into the room to tell him something interrupting the recording. Instead of rerecording the song, Joseph left the interruption in making the song even more heartfelt. Today his oldest daughter is a young woman, and it is her photography and artwork that are used for the album’s art and design.
The second surprise on this EP is the fully instrumental “The Sounds of Life”. Once again demonstrating his diverse talent, the song is a whimsical piano and drum piece that ends the EP on a light and refreshing note, vastly different from many rock albums available today.
Overall, my favourite is “don’t Let Chances Pass You By” because it seems to directly reflect Joseph’s personal and musical journey. The sound is typical for a rock and roll song, sounding very similar to Bon Jovi, but it is the lyrics that I really like. At times we are given opportunities that we have to grab onto before they are gone forever. With that message put to rock music, perhaps this song can bolster your courage to take chances as they come by.
Joseph’s EP can be found for streaming on his website, and it is available for purchase on Amazon, Bandcamp, and iTunes.
Samantha Stevens is an aspiring writer who loves combining her love for literature with photography, painting, music, and all creative pursuits.