The Watersong Joseph by Honor Among Thieves: A Rock Gem That Slipped Through the Cracks
Let’s get one thing straight—1986 was a wild year for rock music. You had your Bon Jovi hair flips, your Metallica riffs that could peel paint, and then... you had The Watersong Joseph by Honor Among Thieves. Released on some no-name label (literally "Not On Label"), this album is like finding an old mixtape in your uncle's attic—it’s rough around the edges but somehow unforgettable.
First off, let’s talk about the title track, “The Watersong.” If I close my eyes while listening to it, I can almost picture myself standing knee-deep in a river, except instead of water, it’s made entirely of electric guitar solos. The song builds slowly, with these moody chords creeping up on you like a cat stalking its prey. And just when you think it’s gonna stay chill forever, BAM! It explodes into this chaotic yet oddly satisfying jam session. It’s not perfect—there are moments where the vocals sound like they were recorded through a tin can—but hey, isn’t that part of the charm? This track sticks with me because it feels like someone bottled lightning and poured it into a song.
Then there’s “Joseph,” which is basically what would happen if Bruce Springsteen decided to write a ballad about existential dread. It starts off all mellow and acoustic, lulling you into thinking it’s gonna be one of those sit-by-the-campfire tunes. But don’t be fooled—the lyrics hit hard. Lines like “Joseph walks alone, his shadow heavier than stone” stick in your brain like gum under a school desk. By the end, the drums kick in, and suddenly it’s less campfire singalong, more emotional rollercoaster. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to stare out a rainy window and ponder life choices you haven’t even made yet.
What’s wild about this album is how unpolished it feels. There’s no glossy production or overproduced nonsense here. Instead, it’s raw, real, and kinda messy—in the best way possible. Listening to it feels like eavesdropping on a secret conversation between the band and their instruments. Sure, the recording quality might make audiophiles cringe, but who cares? Sometimes imperfection is exactly what makes something special.
So yeah, The Watersong Joseph. An obscure little rock album from 1986 that probably didn’t sell more than 50 copies. But if you stumble across it at a garage sale or buried deep in Spotify’s algorithm, give it a listen. Who knows? Maybe you’ll fall in love with its scrappy charm too. Or maybe you’ll hate it. Either way, at least you’ll have a story to tell.
Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it the band broke up right after releasing this. Typical musicians, always leaving us wanting more.
