Reviews
Here's a review of the disc from
Indie-Music.com.
Here's a transcript of the review in Geoff Wilbur's Renegade
Newsletter, Industry Edition, May 1999. Thanks a lot to them!:
By Shane Copher - This impressive demo is a "concept"
album following the life of life of one Bobby McStone, and his
ambition to become a rock star. From his school days to garage
band to "#4 With A Bullet," this ambitious promotion displays
all Gregory's wares. The music varies in intensity and styles,
slowly progressing throughout the album to showcase the man's
writing and playing talents. Much of the lyrical content is humorous,
but not at the expense of the compositions. As an album, this
many not hit that #4 spot, but as an ingenious marketing tool
for a young singer/songwriter, this demo is certified platinum,
and sure to put Mr. Vaine on the map. Very impressive, and expertly
thought out.
And here's our first review, sent in by Joe:
Dear People,
Today's music is really hard for musicians. Corporate domination
has created a one hit wonder machine that leaves solid bands on
the side of the road because "Musicians are hard to deal with."
So the industry has figured out have to bypass them and keep the
money rolling in and the control on their side.
The result is music is geared towards fitting into a niche. Sometimes
on the same album you see attempts at many different niches. The
result is an album that is not cohesive and wanders. For me, today
it seems harder and harder to find an album I can listen to through
it's entirity. But now I am compelled to tell you that The Ballad
Of Bobby McStone is such an album.
It tells a story.
It is much like the works "Tougher Than Leather" and "The Red Headed
Stranger" by Willie Nelson. Relax, don't be frightened, "Bobby McStone"
isn't country music. But it borrows the format of the story married
to the music.
The story takes place in three acts. The first act tells the story
of an awkward young man in search of a dream and his parents who
are scared, like all parents, about the fate of their son. The second
act is about self discovery and releasing one's self from other's
perceived judgements. The final act is about protecting that freedom
once it has been found.
The words alone are an important message for us all to hear. The
music is so perfectly matched to the words its is a story you will
want to hear again and again.
My three favorite songs occur at the end of the second act. The
songs "Bar Band", "Watch Out For That Bus", and "I Want To Rock",
define the coming of age and self dicovery that we all must go through.
These rockin tunes really put the past or for some the future in
perspective. The Ballad of Bobby McStone is a story we can all relate
to so check it out!
Joe Zink - Los Angeles
|