Customer Reviews

Hollis Brown

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

 

 

Hollis Brown lead singer Mike Montali is hard to pin down. He sounds a bit like the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, a bit like Neil Young, a bit like the Gin Blossoms' Robin Wilson, and a bit like Robert Plant. He's got the high edginess (and falsetto) with which they each create emotional tension, and though the band's guitar, bass, drums, organ and harmonica share a `70s rock `n' roll vibe with the Crowes, Zeppelin, and Blossoms, they add twangy blues and country roots that really belie their urban Queens upbringing. The album opens with the exuberant "Show Love" and follows with the roiling guitars and stinging lyrical rebuke of "Walk on Water." The songs track through Stones-styled rock, ambling Americana, broken-hearted country twang, shuffling sing-a-longs and angsty pop. The group's melodic hooks will stick in your head for days, and Montali's voice is memorable, whether singing up-tempo rockers or slowing to surprise with the Stax-styled soul of "Don't Wanna Miss You." One can only assume Hollis Brown polished these tunes in numerous live gigs, as their self-assurance in the studio translates to terrific passion and swagger on disc. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

Not only is this cd great but the band is even better live and in person. Since they are based out of Queens, NY they are constantly playing small clubs and venues in and around NYC. GO SEE THEM!!! See them before they break big and start playing in stadiums, arenas, and airplane hangers. Then you will regret having missed seeing them in the smaller venues. GO SEE THEM!!! You will not be disappointed.

It was my brother-in-law (who I thought was maostly a hip-hop dude!) who sent me a copy of this CD (I'm in the UK). He reckoned I would like it and he was dead right. Great earthy Americana, pop-rock etc. Hopefully, I'll catch them live this summer if I make it to NY. I can hear a bit of Ryan Adams in the guy's voice at times. The sort of record that you are glad still gets made in this age of "talent" shows and Justin Bieber.

I am really impressed by this album. The songwriting is top notch with catchy hooks and melodies from top to bottom. The songs that stand out most to me are Show Love (great video on YouTube as well), Passin' Me By, and Carolina, Carolina. I definitely have Hollis Brown underlined as a band to watch.