“Your Fabulous Life”
(selected reviews from Garageband.com)

Smoothness Covering the Walls
Damn, I gotta say this is smooth. The reason is because its so damn smooth, so smooth it cuts! Then the lyrics come out from no where, talking to you as if your supposed to join, so I had a conversation with the song and I found out we made great friends.

    —DelanoGrove from Orange County NY, New York
22Sep2005

Music Sounds Like Others
The music was not too original, heard music like that a million times.

    —hotasianlookin from Aurora, Colorado
22Sep2005

Don’t Listen to this at Work
Don’t listen to this at work- it’s laid back, mellow grooves will relax you and cause you to do nothing all day. Great instrumentation, great singing and a great melody–all three elements intertwine well and make this a solid performance. The lyrics aren’t predictable… the mood would suggest satin sheets and fancy drinks but it’s very original. A lot of variety in the instrument selection.

    —epalonen from Canterbury, Connecticut
21Sep2005

Well I can say
This is like elevator music… but really cool. Think if you were on one stoned or tripped out… this would be a great situation!

    —bizarre_sherman from Fayetteville, Arkansas
2Sep2005

Initially… not thrilled but…
You guys are obviously seasoned professionals that could play any wedding reception/cocktail hour. I was initially bored as hell even though the musicianship is EXCELLENT. Kicker… the lyrics mixed into this type of music are absolutely FABULOUS. For once… I would love to hear this tune played at some fancy shindig and then this singer… with a straight face… sings the tune there. Production… Excellent, Jazz Guitar…NO Equal, Vocal…Perfect, concept…Priceless! Oh of course…the sax. My wife just walked in on this and she loves the Burt Bacharach sound so I played it for her again so she could here the lyrics…Four thumbs up!

    —scaramenga from Union, New Jersey
2Sep2005

“Last Chance”
(selected reviews from Garageband.com)

Stop John stop
Who died and gave you permission to sound like a John Denver cover band from the underworld! sorry

    —tranquilitylost from Independence, Missouri
20Sep2005

A Song w/ a Message Well Worth Listening To
Nice tempo and sprinkles of piano with a laid back shuffling drummer and sweet lyrics… last chance to paint the sky –look at how the time goes by…(I’m reading into this as go and do something creative –enjoy the sky, nature, take a walk –get away from the computer and the job and the traffic!) This is top-notch songwriting –“got a job thought I’d last a year, now they call me the old guy here” –I love it! Original, and yet I’m sure millions of people can relate to that line –my retired father included. :) The bridge flows well at 2:50 –love the simple piano and slinky bass… what’s that? Some weird effect on a bass around 3:30? The background vocals are all on pitch, but for some reason make the song sound a bit “dated”, but not in a kitchy/cool “Johnny Cash” way –I’d rather hear this simpler… more hardcore simple honest singer/songwriter stuff… .The lead singer has a great voice, excellent lyrics, a memorable catchy hook, and pleasant melody and a universal message applicable to all humanity in this day and age… I think I caught some reference to Shakespear’s time verses today’s lightening speed technology –eg. being able to download anything in the blink of an eye –another unique and poignant metaphor to remind us all to “slow down –it’s you’re last chance so let it last, look at how the time goes past”… (sorry if I didn’t get the words exactly right –will definitely listen again!), but it’s so true… Great message, and a beautiful song. Maybe add some strings in there instead of the “ooh”s –and bring the lead vox up a bit louder in the mix –esp. during the chorus. Best of luck!
xo carol
www.coastalpeople.com

    —Coastal_People from Washington, D.C., Dc
19Sep2005

RADIO READY!
It is so perfect it’s almost as if I already know the words! The familiarity of the song, as a whole, is astounding! This song almost forces you to reflect on the emotions awakened by the flash of a memory or a dream. Look at how the time goes by… gorgeous song!

The vocal arrangement is pretty much perfect, harmonies and all! The production is, to me, amazing! wonderful song! message, performance, and all! TAKE THE MOMENT FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH MAN!! FEELIN THAT!
I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention that FRETLESS BASS!!!
I used to rock one in an alternative band… I love the way it so smoothly lends itself to the mix here.
Bravo!
Thanx for the song,
~T~

    —TICOROAD from Southern, California
24Sep2005

Just About Perfect
Great feel to this song… reminds of Pousette Dart band… easy to listen to… with an understated motion to it… relentless and moves towards the end like a tide coming… just got a little chill on this one… saying its good doesn’t do it justice… would like to hear more… will look you up after this review is over… good job.

    —MakWolven from The Hague, Netherlands
24Sep2005

I am glad that there are still musicians with…
This is a really engaging song about the last roar of the lion. The lyrics are the proof of high level artistry. The production and the mix are professional grade. All instruments are toned nicely. I do like the trade between the fretless bass and the piano. The lyrics mean a lot to me. I hope more people can hear this song and learn a little bit about song writing. Thank you for sharing your music at garageband.com.

    —gravitygrooves from Minneapolis, Minnesota
1Oct2005

Last Chance
Light and airy guitar and quiet key laden intro. Soft percussion works well. This guy’s a great story teller. I’m hearing some James Taylor here, with more of a downhome, story telling folk edge. This tune is quite relaxing and nice to hear. Love the soft, subtle harmonies, so soft that you may not even know they’re there. This song is solid, great production, clear and crisp. This song is chill, cool, and excellently and confidently done. Well performed, well recorded, well thought out. I just heaved a delighted sigh as this one ended. Smooth my brothers… smooth.

    —Celticpunk from Chicago, Illinois
29Sep2005

Yawn.
Cleche. It’s not orignal or innovative, engaging or entertaing. It’s just boring. There’s no hook or reason to make me want to listen to it past the first 30 seconds. Try changing it up a little throughout the song to make me not slip into a coma next time.

    —Tophizzle from Boulder, Colorado
29Sep2005

“Praying Now”
(selected reviews from Garageband.com)

Distinctive Voice
You have a very distinctive voice which is both rich and sensitive. You give a very personal performance which is very appealing. I like the arrangement of the song.

    —raysound from Aberdeen Scotland, United Kingdom
18Oct2005

Wow —Gimme more!
What a wonderful song! This songwriter/performer should be out there playing to crowds! Gorgeous! Love the band sound & the percussion & WOW an accordion —what a beautiful layering of my favourite sounds! V impressed.
Smooth vocals.
Your writing / sound reminds me of Eddi Reader!
Lovely!

    —jewliscrumptious from Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
8Nov2005

This Song Flows Like Water
This song has a lovely soft quality to it. It’s all about the lovely mellow warmness in the lead vocal… .It’s such a pleasure to listen to.

I can’t believe the production on this track. It’s absolutely amazing. No cheesy backing vocals or big drums which could have so easily been thrown in for commercial value. The dynamics are really held back and it works so well. The vocalist is obviously really confident and at ease with his ability to mesmerise. This is perfect!

    —andreaglass from London, United Kingdom
6Nov2005

Coffee Cup Revelation
A beautifully evocative song about love; love of nature or being. A wonderfully structured composition with vocals that express the mood to a tee. Lovely acoustic guitar riff, accompanied on occasion by a mournful accordion and a lonely bongo-sounding percussion takes it all along with a kind of restrained effervescence, a somewhat smoldering desire to be on the road of love, stopping for reflection at a coffee-house pitstop steeped in dawn’s solitudinous hue.

    —AtlanteanSparro from Argentina
31Oct2005

Stunningly Beautiful
Well, what can you say. From the opening note this performance is so engaging. Backing tracks are spot on and well-balanced. Guitar, especially, is extremely well played. Lead vocals have a JT type quality (early JT) yet they have carved out an original space all on their own. Overall mood is very David Wilcox (if you don’t know him —absolutely check him out) Lyrical narrative is emotionally perfect and original. I particularly like the car/heart hook —very memorable. Just the right amount of angst in the honey-smooth vocals to create a really beautiful song.

    —courtneyjonesmusic from Pacific, Northwest
23Oct2005

Loved it
Well, praise the Lord! At last, a great song to review. I’ve had a run of awful things to listen to (I think they’re testing me) but now this.

This is as professional a recording as anything I’ve heard on GB. There’s nothing particularly complex about the arrangement, but it’s beautifully recorded and mixed —great picked guitar is the backbone of the song, a simple shaker and bongos provide a slow-pulse rhythmical drive, accordians give texture and depth, and the voice gives us the melodic, emotional centre. The guitar solo is a lovely highlight, properly restrained.

I think someone involved really knows what they’re doing. It’s easy to imagine this on a million selling album —it’s probably not a single, in all honesty, but it’s one of those song you’d really look forward to hearing.

The vocals remind me of Steve Earle in parts, the writing has touches of John Prine —the only criticism I have is that the vocal is sometimes a little too lazy and laid-back, and the tuning drifts slightly once in a while, but on the whole it’s a great voice.

The song is simple and expertly written, a satisfying lyrical hook, and it’s just the right length for radio. I’d buy this, and I’m certain a lot of people would feel the same way.

    —robintymm from Ashbourne, United Kingdom
19Oct2005