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Greg Roth is a Washington DC-based singer/songwriter in the tradition of Elvis Costello, Neil Finn, Glenn Tilbrook and an army of artists whose versitility is always on display. Currently playing solo shows across the country in support of debut album, 2007's Caught Looking, which is available here, by the way. Have opened for a few famous types and even got to jam on stage with Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers once in Baltimore.
Currently working sophomore release, Mr. Anonymous,, due in in 2010. Performs in Washington DC with his band, The Bargains, a mercurial 5-piece supported by members of the Monumental Brass section as well.
ABOUT CAUGHT LOOKING
Debut solo CD, Caught Looking, keeps things interesting by touching all kinds of styles, from alt-country ("yes", "12:40 am wine") to blues ("your providence") to cuban ("good heart") to bluegrass ("league bowlers") to new wave ("if you haven't lost your mind") to power pop ("las vegas wedding") and beyond, all with an undying love for catchy tunes. In all, 18 different local musicians lent their time and skill to making the album and coloring each song in a unique way.
TRACK LISTING
1. i've only got a minute
2. yes
3. las vegas wedding
4. your providence
5. good heart
6. if you haven't lost your mind
7. healthy wealthy wise
8. first day
9. 12:40 am wine
10. league bowlers
11. chris jansing
12. the sound of your voice
AVAILABLE NOW at CD Baby
AT only $10, this collection of songs is a steal. And a piece of history. And the art is nice, too. Buy it here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gregroth.
REVIEWS
Here, from Washington, D.C., is finally, a genuine person, writing and performing music that real people can relate to. And all without painting himself into the proverbial corner that fellow musicians like Moreno have so adamantly warned against...Though Roth's music has been complemented for having elements of pop, bluegrass, Latin, and jazz (sometimes all simultaneously), it is, without a doubt, his overall versatility that is most impressive. While some musicians fall into the habit of relying too much on the foundations of their musical ancestors, and others squander their talents and resources away, on what are perhaps decent, novel premises ruined by poor execution, Greg Roth does neither. "Caught Looking" combines just-right amounts of both old and new, and the result is simply genius…He's a little bit happy, a little bit sad. A little bit hard, and a little bit soft. Greg Roth is a little bit Margaritaville, and a little bit Deliverance (refer to the frantic banging of the banjo, in track 10, "League Bowlers")…So, whatever your fancy, grab a cold one, sit back, close your eyes and open your mind to "Caught Looking." You won't be disappointed."
-Augusta (GA) Metro Spirit Weekly, Week of Sept 24, 2008
"Arlington's Greg Roth slips through a number of deliveries on his debut solo album...Roth has a solid formula for his compositions and doesn't seem to deviate from it, except on a few tracks, "League Bowlers" amongst them. Everything works, often quite well...a competent debut."
--OnTap Monthly, September 2007
"I really enjoy the conceit of this song – I've only got a minute, so I'm going to say everything I can in sixty seconds. And, it works!...I won't spoil the rest, suffice it to say this is a fun song and it made my life richer for listening to it so many times. Of course, the best part is if the narrator wasn't rambling on like this, he may have heard what the other person had to say. Fascinating how much real depth can fit into a short minute...Shoutouts for Your Providence & Healthy Wealthy Wise."
--EarTaste Blog on "I've Only Got a Minute," Track of the Day, October 2, 2007
"If you take the quirkiness of Elvis Costello, the storytelling of Tom Waits and the alt-country styling of Wilco, you'll have a pretty good idea of just what you'll find musically...With all those styles and instrumentation on the 12 tracks of Caught Looking you're sure to find something to your liking. The only thing that was missing from this release was that one song that when you hear it makes you go wow! "Las Vegas Wedding" came close with its well-done upbeat tempo. This song has been featured as a song of the day on GarageBand.com, and is the lead single from the album with plans also underway to make a video for it. For a debut release, Caught Looking hits most of its musical marks and something that Greg Roth should be proud of having done."
--Indie Music Stop, Rating: 7.9 out of 10. October 14, 2007.
"...name-drops Bob Dylan as an influence, but a better comparison might be Jacob Dylan of Wallflowers fame, with his overall more radio-friendly (and, well, just friendly) sound...For the most part, Caught Looking sticks to formula, drifting somewhere between Waits and Wilco with wonderful storytelling and a poppy, alternative rock sound, with some ("Yes," "12:40 am Wine") drifting towards alt-country, and others ("Your Providence") more towards blues, but most sticking safely somewhere between. One noteworthy exception is the first track, the race-to-the-finish, sixty-second-long "I've Only Got a Minute," which despite its terseness serves as an excellent introduction to the CD and Roth's earnest, honest vocals; another is Track 10, "League Bowlers," a quirky mixture of bluegrass and, I think... pirate sea chanty? Whatever it is, it's a lot of fun, and it's just one more reason that it's worth taking a look at Caught Looking -- as well as a listen." Favorite Track: "Good Heart ""
--OnlineRock, November 2007.
"Greg Roth is extremely talented music-wise, especially after reading the CD’s liner notes and discovering that most of the instruments were played by him – percussion, guitars, piano – you name it, the guy has mastered it. And the back-up singers – members of local bands – were spot on, in harmony with the music and each other. Each song on Caught Looking has a different style to it, an attempt by Roth to show his range as an artist… "Healthy Wealthy Wise" is a catchy tune that I actually found myself singing along with."
--G-POP.net, Week of November 26, 2007.
"Singer Songwriter Greg Roth infuses a healthy does of sardonic wit into his lyrics, and sings them with a gutsy yet tempered emotion. Fueled by music that rides the fence between alt folk and alt rock, many of the tunes have snappy grooves that draw you deeper inside what is happening. With embellishments including unique instrumentation and occasional forays into various styles including bluegrass, island and blues, Greg weaves it all together in masterful fashion for a very well crafted debut."
--Music Morsels, February 2008.
"Greg Roth sings like a pop star running out of breath, sort of an asthmatic Elvis Costello who can't wait long enough to get the vocals out without stopping to breathe. Add in a quirky sense of humor, best evidenced in the 60 second long intro track, 'I've Only Got Minute' (not to mention the staring baby on the cover), and you've got a recipe for one interesting little rock record. Roth's brand of pop runs in the same circles as the aforementioned Mr. Costello, with varied influences surfacing throughout, ranging from alt-country to bluegrass to roots rock and everything in between. The acoustic guitar tends to be the central instrumentation, bringing an understated feel to the album that allows Roth's voice to be the main focus. His story-telling style of songwriting fits all these features like a glove, the perfect choice for a listener who likes his pop a little unpredictable."
--Mish Mash, Feb 5.
"...there is a a real vibe of someone putting his heart into something, but also someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously. There’s some gems on this album, including my favourites “Your Providence”, “The Sound of Your Voice” and the opener, which I just love to death. There’s also an interesting contrast between some of the songs like the Spanish/Mexican, “Good Heart” and the banjo pickin’ “League Bowlers”...Musically there is much here that reminds me of a great British band, Squeeze, with some wonderfully crafted pop. Certainly something a little off the wall, but all the better for it. Some great pop with just that hint of quirkiness that sets this apart from the norm and results in something very enjoyable."
---Indie Launchpad, Sept 7
"The music and melody [on Las Vegas Wedding] are absolutely memorable with significant radio/commercial potential…Your Providence is pure pop/rock gold. The metronomic bass line and country flavored guitar work make for just the right magic...[Caught Looking is] worth it for the nuggets of pop gold it contains."
--Wildy's World, Oct 1
"Greg has a singing style that I would describe as breathy. Greg is best with the songs that have a more playful feel and playful lyrics. It may be the Lebowski in me, but my favorite tune on this release is "League Bowlers." "First Day" and "The Sound of Your Voice" where Greg sweetly sings "I hate the sound of your voice," are two more to enjoy. At times I can hear a fleeting bit of Paul McCartney & Ben Folds sound on some tunes."
--The ChickenFishSpeaks, January '09
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