Customer Reviews

El Dorado

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD shares an essence of life that we can all learn from. The words are gathered greatly, and you can tell the time spent on each song. Mike Metz has what it takes to become one of musics greatest starZ!

This is my new favorite! Flat-out , hands-down, 110% awesome! Mike's lyrics are delicately crafted, reeling about California's roots in the slow-burn song; GHOST OF '49 and country sweetheart EL DORADO. The musical styles that are stirred together are super impressive. I can hear old Motown, Tex-Mex, outlaw country, Memphis blues and rock n'roll,.......how often have you heard all that mentioned in one breath? If I could I would buy every one of you this CD just so you could find out what it is you've been missing. Forget Alt-Country,....This is real Americana!!!!!!

What can I say about this record that hasn't already been written? Mike Metz has produced a work of genuine originality and ebullient personality that defies a neat categorization as rock, blues, R&B, or even "Americana". Metz's vocals, reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen at his best, are nonetheless unique and captivating. Surrounding himself with a group of stellar musicians, Metz delivers a compelling contemporary blend of acoustic and slide guitars, sax, fiddle, accordion, and trumpets - aided by some truly amazing back-up vocalists, including The Gospel Hummingbirds. The band's deceptively straightforward style inexplicably reveals some previously overlooked (by me) nuance of harmony, vocal inflection or musical detail with each subsequent listen. All in all, a 100% honest, hard-core pastiche of American musical styles executed in an infectious manner that cries out for "mainstream" radio airplay. Very highly recommended.

Mike Metz is the type of musician that drives record company executives crazy. The guy is obviously a talented songwriter and singer, who plays a mean guitar, leads a sharp and multifaceted band, and produces his own recordings as well. In baseball, they call someone like this a five-tool player, and they are a rare find. As is Mike Metz.

But the A & R and marketing people that are supposed to call the shots at the labels are, for the most part, easily confused. And rather than focus on the great music that's to be found on "El Dorado," they will ask each other, "Gee, how do we sell this guy?" Artists who don't fit into a single neat category often struggle to build a successful recording career, which is a shame. But the small yet significant world of alternative country, Americana, roots music or whatever we're calling it this year has demonstrated that there is a place for artists like the Mike Metz Band.

Metz's blessing/curse is that he is so damn versatile. He's comfortable as a rock and roller, soul singer, country warbler, blues rocker, and alt-country singer/songwriter. His chameleon-like ability to shift from one style to the next is a rare one, and the only slight misstep is a stab at Tex-Mex. But Metz's strong songwriting and earnest vocals make the shift from one type of music to the next a smooth one; in doing so he displays the self-confidence usually found in veteran performers like Delbert McClinton, Shelby Lynne and Steve Earle, to name just a few. Mike Metz may not be in their league yet, but its not unrealistic to expect that he will be someday. My hope, and prediction, is that the California-based Metz finds a way to integrate all his stylistic interests into a single, distinctive music. When he does, the result should be very special.

"El Dorado" has a number of bright moments. "Peaches," the opener is a convincing and fun soul song that invokes the classic Stax sound of the sixties. A sweet, infectious rocker, "Ask Angeline, is irresistible. The CD's title song features some wonderful pedal steel work while also managing to invoke the more reflectivel side of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The disc's final song, "Deal Breaker," demonstrates that Metz can write and sing a memorable straight-ahead rock & roll song; he also adds some hot lead and slide guitar work. The band provides solid backing throughout, but Doug Wagner on drums, David Phillips on pedal steel and Summer Burkes on harmony vocals deserve special mention.

"El Dorado" is a very pleasant surprise. Here's hoping that its just the first step in a long and rewarding career for the Mike Metz Band.

I have to say with all honesty, that this is one of the best cds I have ever heard. And to know that it is their debut cd is all the more amazing, and I can't wait to hear more. Mike Metz is a brilliant singer/songwriter/musician and writes songs that you will want to hear over and over again. They grab your attention,..each song could easily be a hit song, and definately deserves to be. This is a cd that I am sure will become a classic. If you like great rock music with a southern feel and country tinge, intelligent lyrics and wonderful melodies, then this cd is for you. And if you don't have it, then you really are missing out on something wonderful!

The debut CD from The Mike Metz Band is a unique mix of country rock, rockin' ditties, rock and music you just can't categorize. Polished songwriting and a variety of instruments lead to a great CD. Treat yourself to something original and get this. Great late night summer raise-the-roof music!!