Josh and The Empty Pockets - First Album: Under The Bed

First Album: Under The Bed

The Empty Pockets released their first album comprising original songs – Under the Bed – in 2008. In an interview with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight, Josh explained that the debut album is about growing up and that the title Under the Bed comes from the lyrics “where have the monsters under my bed gone” on one of the songs. All ten of the tracks were placed on the Nickelodeon TV channel's programs iCarly, Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh.

The album garnered a positive response from critics. Reviewing the album, Daily Vault staff writer Duke Egbert described their sound as "harmony-drenched," and labeled it "intelligent" yet unpretentious and "well-crafted". Egbert rated the album "one of the better new CDs I've heard this year", and complimented the wordplay of "Missteps," and "Monsters," among others. Illinois Entertainer reviewer Terrence Flamm described the album as "fun rock ‘n’ roll." Michael Capozzoli, Jr., former writer for Billboard magazine, opined "Josh is a young recording artist who writes and sings as if lready an old master of the pop/rock genre", and tipped them as "the band to watch in 2009." Echoing the sentiments of prior reviews, Amy Lotsberg, a music critic and producer of Collected Sounds, wrote "Josh Solomon has a pleasing voice. It’s clear, and easy to understand; which is important because the lyrics are clever." Lotsberg deemed the songs "melodic and interesting", singling out "Let Go" and "Side Effects" for praise.