Search - Eric Bachmann :: To the Races

Were you surprised?

B. Hauck | Cincinnati OH | 08/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"that pancake repairman obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. Bachmann is no fly by night indie poster boy. he has been doing it long enough that anyone with any familiarity of the genre knows who he is [certainly much longer than Iron and Wine...] maybe the pancake repairman would like to first learn some more about what he is reviewing before he embarrasses himself.



if you are not familiar with Eric Bachmann's work, start picking up Crooked Fingers discs. he is a brilliant songwriter, and a well accomplished musician. "To the Races" is an understandably stripped down solo album from the frontman, and is an overall quality experience. personally, i wasn't a fan of Archers of Loaf, so i am glad this is closer to his current sound as opposed to his former. there are some great songs on this album, and anyone who puts any value into songwriting and lyrics should own a copy.



keep up the good work Bachmann."

Pleasantly, highly surpassed my expectations!

Ryan Bock | Venice, CA United States | 09/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was an early and very enthusiastic Archers of Loaf supporter. Although I wasn't as taken by the direction of their later albums, I was still interested enough to give my attention to Eric Bachman's solo efforts. Crooked Fingers clawed, dug, and moaned it's way through some interesting songwriting and dark melodies enough so to find my ear appreciative. But I've never considered any Crooked Fingers efforts to approach the status of 'epic'.



With 'To the Races', however, Eric Bachman takes an undeniably giant leap towards that assignment. In between the captivating lyric-smithing and carefully crafted minimalist arrangements, we hear a noticeably fuller, richer, more dynamic vocal prowess. Suddenly it becomes easy to want to make comparisons to various legendary vocalists (an indulgence which for your benefit I'll avoid here) as, despite the musical strength of the vast majority of the individual song arrangements, Bachman's voice rises to the forefront, skillfully entreating the listener to closely follow its inviting nuances.



I'd give the album 4.5 stars, but the rating system won't let me so the album has to suffer with 4.

"

Great CD

Christopher Zephro | Santa Cruz, CA | 09/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Eric play in San Francisco before Richard "the god" Buckner. I immediately bought this CD and a Crooked Fingers CD. This is a great CD! I love all of the songs with Genie, Genie being my favorite.



Eric's a great singer songwriter with a very original sound.



Also, get Richard Buckner's Meadow CD, it's excellent!

"