Customer Reviews

If Faith Doesn't Matter

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Rich McCulley
If Faith Doesn't Matter (Self-released, 2002)
What this San Francisco-based singer-songwriter lacks in vocal power, he makes up for with lyrical honesty and musical chops. His brand of roots pop is both twangy and sunny, and his melodies can be as breezy as a Southern California wind. Mr. McCulley's album is full of unadorned songs about love gone awry. But there's never a downtrodden feel to the proceedings thanks to his jubilant way with guitar-fueled rhythms.

- Mario Tarradell

Rich McCulley -If Faith Doesn't Matter
Those of you who enjoy the rootsier side of artists like George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Alex Chilton, Paul Westerberg, and Emmit Rhodes will find San Francisco's, Rich McCulley`s self-released sophomore effort, If Faith Doesn't Matter right in the proverbial ballpark... Backed by a crack band who have an intuitive feel for his music, McCulley's songs are realized tomes of heartache and loss that never sound forced or pretentious. Keep an eye out for this guy. Something tells me he's itching for something bigger. A strong showing of an emerging talent. Lovely! - Bryan Swirsky

I must admit, Rich is a friend of mine going way back, but his new album is the best thing he has done in the 12 years plus I have known him. Rich has always had a roots rock sound, but his new stuff keeps the roots, but brings it modern enough to be on the radio. Good Ballads, some rockers...Straight forward, good production, tight playing, good lyrics.....Everything a rock & roll record should sound like and there good live too...

If you took Matchbox 20 and the Wallflowers, but added the balls of Exile on Main Street Stones, that would be the best way to describe this CD.

when rich moved his band from fresno to san francisco i was so upset! but as long as he keeps putting out albums like this i suppose i shouldn't complain about his moving on to bigger and better things.

there's tons of cool music on this disc and it plays really well in my cd changer alongside all different kinds of music. lots of great songs and rich's voice is always right whether the band is rocking full steam or it's just him on acoustic guitar. i never hear anything different on the major radio stations these days and it is so refreshing to hear rich's music playing on the fresno indie station.

keep on rocking rich but don't forget the roots where you came from!...

Amplifier-Issue 32...Sept.-Oct. 2002If Faith Doesn't Matter...This is what I hoped the wallflowers would wind up sounding like. Twang pop melodies, just enough grit on the sandpaper voice, a solid bass/drum combo that knows what the word "support" means and a tasty slide guitar player painting tangents over the other guitarist melodic chunk. But McCulley' songs are more consistently strong than the young Mr. Dylan's is, and the arrangements always seem spot-on to match. I much prefer the up-tempo material- the bouncy "Uncertain" and "Bend For No One" are more appealing than the waltz of "Please Sing Along," for example. That's no put down of the more delicate tracks like "You're So High" and "Hang Me," as McCulley's voice sells them all anyway. After listening to the controlled chaos of "Fight It," my guess is that this band can shred in a live setting.-Bill Holmes

It may be lonely at the top, but that's not because there isn't enough room for everybody. As I gaze upon those who dwell atop the musical world, I hope they save a place for Rich McCulley.

Our old Fresno friend has found a new fortress in `Frisco, but the net result is that he's back in town with a new `rock `n' roll show worthy of greatness.
I hope you caught his July 13th appearance at Davis' G Street Pub. If you did, you probably took home his latest CD, and need not read any further.

For those who failed to appear, "If Faith Doesn't Matter" is a huge step in McCulley's personal evolutionary process. If you liked his work as the sideman in the country-based band Big Blue Hearts... if you liked the raw rock `n' roll power of his former band SparkleJet... if you like the gentle musings in his subsequent solo efforts... let's say his latest release is the best of all worlds.

Whether catchy pop-hooks or introspective, country laced folk, McCulley would be a t home anywhere, and this disc should be at home in your home, so leave home and don't come back until this one returns home with you.

Power of Pop - webzine - Sunday, December 01, 2002

Rich McCulley
If Faith Doesn't Matter (Self-released)
Good news, folks, looks like McCulley has discovered the twang! This sophomore effort has McCulley lining his obvious pop-rock chops with a rustic country edge. The benefits are immediate - the opening "Waiting" is an infectious gem. The rest of Faith continues this fine blend with the Elvis (Costello that is) evoking "Unwound," the heartfelt "Say Bye Bye," the Stonesy "Fight It" and the austere "Heaven or Hell" making this album a worthy acquisition for all lovers of melodic rock 'n' roll, country rock and everything in-between. -