Customer Reviews

I Am

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ever since the day I picked up his free promotional CD on a whim, I have been eagerly awaiting Michael Tolcher's full-length debut album. It wasn't a moment too soon, either -- I was afraid I'd wear out the promo, listening to it so much! "I Am" is a surprisingly solid debut album from a truly gifted musician, and is simply packed with fine songs.

"Mission Responsible" is a great opening track whose "do the right thing" message loses any annoying preachiness it might have had, thanks to a very catchy hook. "The Sun Song" is a soaring mid-tempo track with an inspirational (yet, again, totally un-preachy) feel. I also love the swaying, shuffling rhythm of "Miracle" and the weary but beautiful longing of the closing track, "Waiting". The title track is the most unique, with its lilting, "skip-a-beat" melody that reminds me of something I can't put my finger on. And I dare anyone to resist the incredible groove of "No One Above" ... even the stuffiest of accounting executives couldn't resist tapping his feet under his desk chair or bouncing in his car seat at the sound of this song!

As if the lyrics and melodies weren't enjoyable enough, Michael Tolcher's deep, smooth (dare I say sexy?) voice just adds to this album's appeal. If you like a little more caffeine in your John Mayer, or have ever wondered what Gavin deGraw might sound like with guitar in place of piano, then you definitely need to pick up this album. And at a low price like this, there's not a fan of good music in general who shouldn't. What have you got to lose?

I had a few friends go to a Gavin Degraw concert in January and they brought me back this amazing CD. I popped it in my car, thinking I would listen to the whole thing over a span of time, but after the first 3 songs, I took it out of my car and sat in my room and listened to it.

This CD is awesome! There is not ONE song on here that I do not like or one that I skip. Michael is clever with his words and he has some pretty catchy tunes. Some songs are more laid back and some pull out some tough questions.

Every chance I get I recommend this CD and I recommend it to you all too! Buy this CD and you won't be dissapointed!

I am pleased to say that not only is Michael's album awesome, but he is even more amazing live. I just saw him, he opened for Gavin Degraw. He was a huge hit, there may be quite a future in store for Michael Tolcher.

I recently saw Michael Tolcher perform live in Chicago, opening for Gavin DeGraw. This guy exhibited just as much charisma as the headliner; he's a keeper! He commented to the crowd that it took him 12 years to make this album. Well, I think it's safe to say that we won't have to wait that long for the next one! This is fresh, engaging music from a man with a real talent for songwriting. My personal faves are "Miracle", "Kiss & Tell", "Mission Responsible", and "Sooner or Later".

Maybe it's that I found Michael Tolcher at a time in my life when his message from "I Am" really hit hard, or maybe it's the fact this guy is super-talented--I think it's a matter of both! There is no doubt you should own this record. With all the Top 40, radio-friendly music...it's nice to see an artist still keeping to himself while not falling completely into the trap of only creating a good sounding radio song. There really isn't a specific genre of music to put Tolch into...he's rock, he's pop, he's even a touch of hip-hop. And it's nice that he isn't put into one specific sound...he can do whatever and as long as it's good, people will buy it! Though I'm a fan of all the songs on "I Am" I think that "Miracle" and "The Sun Song" are my two favorites! The postive message eminating from these tunes are amazingly clear. Put that with the relationship Tolch has with his fans and you have a musican that 1) will be around a long time and 2) will hit #1 in no time!

Michael Tolcher's debut CD gets better the more I listen to it. The CD is primarily adult top 40, and alongside potential pals like Will Hoge, Graham Colton, and John Mayer, what Michael offers that is different is kind of a search for virtues that other guitar singer/songwriter stars sometimes overlook.

Take "Bad Habits," for example, in which the protagonist is striving for life lessons and experiences to be a better person. "Mission Responsible" sounds to me like encouragement for a father to do right by his baby's mother and future family. "Sooner or Later" consists of good advice to a daughter who has a lot of questions but doesn't necessarily want the answers from her folks, but they love her and they'll give it anyway.

I don't think this is Christian pop, but damn, if you're not feeling a bit uplifted either by the words or the sensible and effective guitar/percussive elements, I would be scared to meet your children someday.

This is an amazing collection of well-written songs performed by an incredibly talented artist. Tolcher blends flawless instrumentation with clever lyrics to give you songs you can listen to over and over over again without ever getting tired of them. Great pop rock sensibilites, but with enough interesting textures not to lump it in with the other stuff currently playing on the radio.
A superb effort and one certainly worthy of your entertainment dollar.

Where do I begin? From the soothing, but meaningful tone of "Sooner or Later" to the dance, fun sound of "Kiss and Tell" this CD is AMAZING! I must say..wow! Everyone needs to add this to their collection

Michael Tolcher is a revolutionary if I've ever heard one, as exemplified in his song "mission responsible": "take a look all around you, say that you want to see something better than this..." Our planet needs an uplifting voice like his to remind us that the power lies within us to create a Heavan on Earth. I knew Michael when he was playing acoustic gigs at coffee shops in Atlanta, and I can say that he has not lost the spiritual heart that set him apart from the rest, now that he's riding a wave of national success. This album has a funky danceable groove, beautiful melodies, and inspiring lyrics that just make you go, "yeah, that makes alot of sense...". Michael has a rich, resonant, warm-fuzzy kinda' voice that makes you feel good ALL over...I highly recommend this album to anyone seeking fresh perspective...

Michael is freakin awesome. I had the good fortune to bring him to my campus as well as interview him on my campus radio. Not only is his CD excellent, but as a live performer he is amazing! The vast majority of students who came out the show came for Gavin DeGraw, but left feeling that while Gavin was great, Michael was incredible. Also - he does not look like Enrique Iglesias...AT ALL.

Watching him play acoustically in the radio station and then seeing him on stage for the 3rd time, the immense amount of please he gets out of singing and playing is clearly evident.

I could not ask for more out of a musician or a CD.