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JFH Music Review



Josh Wilson
Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: April 29, 2008


Debuts are delicate; that is, they can either make or break an artist early on in their career. Get it right, and the album becomes a hit. But fail to produce something people like, and it can take a little while for an artist to regain attention with a sophomore release. So how does Josh Wilson's debut album on Sparrow Records qualify?

On many albums, the artist tends to push one of their more upbeat offerings to the fore as the opener. Not surprisingly, Josh Wilson continues this tradition on Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup; and frankly, why wouldn't he? It's a tried-and-true method of grabbing someone's attention, and encouraging them to continue listening to the album. However, "The Saints" may be upbeat, but it isn't what you'd call outstanding… at least, not compared to some of the other songs on this album. It is possible that a more acoustic leaning may have improved it, as the driving electric guitars and drums bury what could otherwise have been a better song; something that is evident in the quieter verses. Following on its heels, "Saviour Please," is a plea for help from a broken man. Lyrically, this song is beautiful, stating, "I tried to be good enough/ but I'm nothing without your love/ Saviour, please, keep saving me." Not only are the lyrics from the heart, but the song itself has a soaring, worshipful tone to it. Once you reach the third track, though, Josh starts to display his true skill in crafting something witty, catchy and uplifting. Here he honestly admits that "I've got a hundred metaphors/ and if I had a million more/ I could never, ever seem to sum this up/ Besides, how could some melody/ communicate eternity/ It's like trying to fit the ocean in a cup."

"Let Me Love You" is among the album's highlights, with an appealing pop sound and chorus that still bounce around in your head long after hearing it. It definitely has the potential to become a radio hit. Another stand out track is "Oak Avenue," a poignant ballad, which tells the story of someone whose friend was involved in an automobile accident with the lyrics mourning over unresolved resentment.

So to answer the earlier-posed question, yes; Josh Wilson has recorded an album that is enjoyable, catchy, and full of relevant Christian themes from one end to the other. The debut may not perfect, occasionally suffering from a bit of overproduction and lack of acoustics; but it remains a promising debut. And I can't help looking forward to what we'll be treated to on a sophomore project from Josh Wilson.

- Review date: 5/14/08, written by Adam Dawson



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CD

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. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: April 29, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. The Saints
  2. Savior, Please
  3. 3 Minute Song
  4. Turn Around
  5. Let Me Love You
  6. Something's Got To Change
  7. Tell Me
  8. Pull Me Through
  9. Oak Avenue
  10. Dear Money
  11. Beautiful Like This
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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