“Taking cues from chick rock icons like Joan Jett and Bif Naked, Burton delivers a high energy rock album that is just sexy enough to get your attention, just accessible enough to keep your attention, and just raw enough to be the real deal. This album certainly holds it’s own among the boys, I’ll even go as far as to say that it is better than most of them. Fans of great rock and roll will find a lot to love about Johnnie Burton.” –written by Mark Fisher for 1340 Magazine, US. www.1340mag.com
“A totally in ya face sound, similar to Garbage, but perhaps even more accessible” –Steve Elliot, Head of Music, Olympic Radio UK. steve@olympicradio.co.uk
“Now here’s a lady who knows how to rock! With proper guitars, interesting lyrics, and a powerful performance… People are going to say Hole, L7, blah-blah-blah, but that’s just lazy journalism so I’ll just point out that she can sing, play guitar, and write songs… [Johnnie] puts in a powerful performance with more than a few hit singles.” –written by Stuart Hamilton for Zeitgeist Magazine, Edinburgh, UK. www.zeitgeist-scot.co.uk
“First thing’s first, Johnnie Burton is a ladee- that’s right. Secondly, Johnnie Burton has one shit hot old skool punk rock and roll group backing her up. Together they make a gloriously traditional racket with one eye trained on rock n’ roll authenticity – and the other on mainstream success. When it pushes all the right buttons at once- ‘Hello Lover’ and ‘These days’ (both massive hit singles in a perfect world) – it’s peerless in its genre pool” – written by Guy Debored for TrakMarx magazine, UK www.trakmarx.com
We were rather taken with Ms Burtons self titled debut album round our way. The kind of aggressive pop-punk-rock that actually puts a smile on your face instead of provoking you into reaching for a seal club. And now Johnnie is back. She's still a bit pissed off but, unlike some, she never loses sight of a melody, especially in the hit single that should be 'The Way I Like It'. There are spiky riffs galore and some fluid guitar lines courtesy of Hayato Takano, who plays a blinder all the way through. The keyboards seem to be more prominent this time around and there's even some added mellotron from Social Distortions Danny McGough fro your added listening pleasure. I could have lived without the power ballad 'If You Don't Love Me' but it's a small price to pay for the four other splendid tracks. Add in some backing vocals from one time Queens Of The Stone Age fella Nick Oliveri, and you're left with another winner from Johnnie Burton. www.zeigeist-scot.co.uk.com
“Johnnie Burton. The best way to describe this girl would go something like this. If Johnnie Burton and Ashlee Simpson met in a dark ally Johnnie would kick Ashlee’s ass. Johnnie Burton is everything Ashlee Simpson wants to be and more. But we digress. The music; Pop rock at its best…” –written by Will Overbaugh for Lat32 Magazine, San Diego CA. www.lat32.com
“Where Courtney Love lost the musical plot, Johnnie Burton picks it up off the floor, dusts it off and adds venomous attitude; her own brand of punk rock and some proper pop sensibility. Johnnie Burton shows she can appeal to the masses without losing any valuable cred points with anti-ballads like ‘Red Rubber Ball’. A skuzzy Avril Lavigne. There’s no lack of diversity here. Yes, she’s a woman, yes she writes great big dirty guitar anthems in an overwhelmingly male-dominated genre but let’s forget the whole female rock empowerment thing for a moment. Regardless of sex and genre, this is an impressive debut which deserves to stand out on its own merits.” – written by Darren Godfrey for Glasserk Magazine, London, UK. www.glasswerk.co.uk
Just when you expect it the least and need it the most, Miss Johnnie Burton is gonna stroll her comely stacked self into the seedy waterfront bar of your soul, slide onto the empty stool next to you and playfully give you a wink that’ll melt your heart, buster. Then she’s gonna renew your flagging faith with the almighty power and glory of her rejuvenating rock ‘n’ roll. How will you love her? Let me count the ways. From coy confused cooing (“Hello Lover”) to confident affirmative self-advocacy (“Hole In The Sky”) to raucous rock hellcat (“Volcano”), Johnnie has enough vocal depth in her roll playing bag of tricks to be anything she wants to be—and those are just the first three songs, bub. Then, just when you think that you’ve got her pouty pipes pegged, Johnnie gets serious on a spiritually soaring pop song like “These Days” and proves she can also passionately emote like a seasoned veteran with decades of experience under her belt. And as a wise man once said, passion is no ordinary word. She can play a guitar just like ringin’ a bell and her band kicks like a government mule, so go on her website and buy this CREEM approved debut album of hers right now. That way, when Johnnie’s on a major label and ruling the roost at the top of the pops, you can smugly say to the downtrodden barfly sitting next to you that, yeah, you knew her back when. By Jeffrey Morgan for CREEM www.creemmagazine.com/index1.php?pg=rama093006
“Throughout the years many a man has dominated the world of rock and roll. Only a handful of women in the genre have garnered the respect of their male counterparts though. Strong women like Bif Naked, Joan Jett, Deborah Harry, and the like spent years making names for themselves while clearing a path for artists like newcomer Johnnie Burton. Burton’s tough as nails but distinctly feminine approach flies in the face of the idea that rock and roll is ‘mans world’. With an amazing debut album just released Johnnie Burton is set to shake the foundations of any rock fan’s music collection.” Written by Mark S. Fisher for 1340Magazine, US. www.1340mag.com
After a blistering rock debut, Johnnie Burton returns with an equally tough EP. Her attitude is firmly in place on "Pleaser" where she rages and rocks like a fury. "The Way I Like It" is catchy and heavy, Burton sounding like Joan Jett's daughter. "If You Don'tLove Me" is nearly a ballad, but still brimming with power chords and wailed vocals. This EP doesn't last long, but wets the appetite for a new long player. Burton's clearly on the right track. Now turn the volume up to eleven. Copyright © 2007 Anna Maria Stjärnell www.lunakafe.com
Johnnie Burton’s debut album still gets a good bit of time in my CD player. Burton’s style of rock and roll may be a no nonsense mix of emotion, energy, and talent but it’s her unique ability to hold your attention with her songwriting that truly separates her from the pack. On her sophomore effort Honey & Blood, Burton aligns herself with Ralf Balzer and Adam Moseley and the result is a much tighter sounding batch of songs that shine the spotlight squarely on the sound that everyone wants to hear from a huge sound system in an outdoor arena. Burton, Balzer, and Moseley have created an excellent batch of rock and roll anthems here that makes her debut sound like a demo. The EP kicks off with the heavy and fast-paced sound of “Pleaser.” Burton puts her best foot forward right out of the gate with quick, to-the-point soloing and a mix of vocal teasing and authoritativeness. This song reminds me a lot of Bif Naked’s angrier moments and I love how Burton sounds like she’s going to literally explode as she belts the song out. “The Way I Like It” and “ESP” continue the guitar rock sound but have a more of a pop edge to them than “Please” does. They are both great songs that appeal to all of us that love a good pop song but rarely get to hear one. The obligatory rock ballad, “If You Don’t Love Me,” chimes in on track four. It’s a solid song but undeniably the EP’s weakest moment. I have nothing against a good rock ballad but this one just feels like it can’t quite get itself together. “Anything You Want” takes you out a high note as it rocks its way over you, firmly reminding you that one day Johnnie Burton could very well be the new queen of rock and roll. Over the last couple of years independent music has become a frustrating place because everyone with a garage and computer has put out an album. This is not that kind of independent music. This is the kind of independent music that the world needs more of: honest, emotional, fun to listen to. It’s creator boasts more talent in her pinky than most of today’s indie scene. Fifteen years ago Johnnie Burton would have been making hit records for a major label by now, so here’s hoping that’s still in the cards. From Bif Naked to Jet to the many classics that still dominate radio, Honey & Blood is for fans of great rock music. By Mark Fisher US for www.infuzemag.com
“This album is so well produced and written, it’s shocking a major label hasn’t discovered her yet. [Johnnie’s] music adds a much needed flavor on the current rock and roll plate. It blends all that was perfect with the late 70s punk delivery along with a present day chorus hook. Songs like HOLE IN THE SKY and VOLCANO belong on an iPod that could incorporate Nirvana and Nikka Costa. Irony laced ballad tracks like ORDINARY DAY and HELLO LOVER prove that Johnnie Burton could find herself on tour with Green Day or Sarah Mclachlan, the music is that versatile.” – written by G Money, US. for www.indiebuzzblogspot.com
“California’s Johnnie Burton has written an infectiously catchy record, with great hooks and better lyrics. The style of music falls as a near perfect marriage of 90’s alt rock and modern power-pop-punk, uniting as something not completely original but fresh in this sea of current fake punk princesses and bland screamo acts. Burton’s voice, which travels from throaty and raw to oddly seductive, carries the lyrics well. Unlike many singers with a similar sound, she actually retains her catchiness and womanliness, something most lose as they try to prove something. Burton isn’t trying to prove anything. She just straight rocks. How much do I like this record? Enough to say, maybe we’re giving away too many 9’s and 8.5s, because by comparison, this 10 (of ten) isn’t doing the record justice. How’s this for a vote of confidence: I want to sign her to the label. Seriously. If you see this Ms. Burton, and you aren’t being courted by some other label already, that was a serious offer.” Written by Puckett for Pucknation Magazine/ Little Heart Records, US. www.pucknation.com
“Johnnie Burton is a rather feisty female with a penchant for guitar oriented, punk-infused, rock and roll. It’s obvious this has been created by listening to copious amounts of music the likes of The Ramones, White Stripes, The Runaways, The Distillers and Four Non Blondes. In fact it’s Four Non Blondes’ front woman Linda Perry that Johnnie reminds me of the most. Take a listen to ‘These Days’ for further proof. Another artist who I could liken her to is Sheryl Crow. If you can imagine the winsome one getting punked-up with a little bit of dirt under her fingernails- not to mention actually playing her guitar… like she meant it- then you could have a good idea as to where Johnnie is coming from. As new artists go, Johnnie has firmly pushed herself into the spotlight with this album. Oh, and by the way… did I mention she was hot? Seven out of seven stars! – Powerplay Magazine Manchester, UK. www.powerplaymagazine.co.uk
“On first biting into this tasty pop rock confection, jaded palettes are likely to conclude that this is little more than ear candy for the Avril Lavigne-Gwen Stefani crowd. But don’t let the gorgeous melodies and effortless playing have you dismissing this former LA punker so quickly. Yeah, that’s the f-bomb she drops on us in the swinging opener, “Hello Lover.” And yeah, that’s a screechy distorto guitar break near the end. Fuck, Hilary Duff wouldn’t be caught dead with that on her records. Fact is, there’s all sorts of crazed and feedback drenched solos here, and so much exhausted sexually neurasthenic vocalizing (‘Hole in the Sky’, ‘Volcano’, ‘Too Sweet to Taste’) that at times it sounds as if you’re listening to a distaff Stooges’ album. Which makes such sweet, softly rocking ballads like ‘Ordinary Day’ and the gorgeous, transcendent ‘These Days’ go down so much easier. Alright, so we’ll cut to the chase: how good is this? Good enough to restore your faith in love and sex and romance and the possibilities of commercially-oriented rock and roll. You want more? Wait for Burton’s second disc. You’ll no doubt get whatever you need. And then some.” Written by Dominick Salemi for Brutarian Magazine, US. (print only) Dominick.salemi@uspto.gov
“Johnnie and her band have slowly come together over the last two years and are now literally rocking the music world. An unsigned act from LA, USA, Johnnie and her band are causing a real stir where ever they go. With a powerful debut record, hot video, and a sexy attitude Johnnie Burton cannot fail to thrill. This is an album chock full of catchy rock and pop-punk songs filled with electric sexuality and a venomous independent female undercurrent.”- Kudos magazine – Rising Stars Project, UK.
“Johnnie Burton is a hot babe of diversity swinging between alternative power pop and mellifluous classic American rock music with potential hits on both fronts. If the first track of this self-titled album was Guruji, you’d think of The Pixies with a new female singer and a more radio friendly footprint for the music. On the other hand, if the opening song had been Ordinary Day, followed by These Days you might ask yourself… what the fuck is this the new Sheryl Crow? Both songs being totally mainstream. Johnnie’s rancid/ dirty voice is both aggressive and sexy. It rides the appealing orgy of chorus-verse-chorus structures with ease. Altogether this album exudes total rock and roll attitude while remaining more accessible than indie.” (This was translated from Italian) Written by Paolo Miceli for Komakino Magazine, Italy. www.inkoma.com
“This is the definition of a kick ass record. Johnnie Burton has won my heart for using the ‘effenheimer’ within the first 26 seconds of the first song. The opening tune, “Hello Lover” is a great way to start out the CD. It’s energetic, loud, fun… She reminds me of Tracy Bonham, but she’s more rock than Bonham. This is far from retro or derivative however. It is very fresh and real. The instrumentation is great. The songs are well written and immediately appealing and Johnnie has a great rock voice. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a hottie.” – written by Amy Lotsberg for Collected Sounds, US. www.collectedsounds.com
“Johnnie Burton is a raspy voiced female singer and guitarist, and this is her debut. Placed firmly in the alternative rock genre, she’s a fiery presence throughout. “Hole in the sky recalls early Veruca Salt -energetic and tuneful. Volcano is a bouncy, air-guitar friendly little ditty with lusty vocals. “Guruji sounds like the Pixies fronted by Courtney Love. It’s irresistibly catchy and fierce. “Ordinary Day” is surpassingly poppy and sounds like it should be a sizeable hit. This debut is unusually assured and Johnnie Burton should be a name to remember for fans of rock.” –written by Anna Maria Stjarnell for Luna Kafe, Norway. www.fuzzlogic.com/lunakafe
“Johnnie Burton’s music rocks pretty damn hard. The vocals and music manage to hit a spot somewhere between Sheryl Crow and Courtney Love. Fans of these artists will get more than their money’s worth and will certainly enjoy Johnnie’s album. Overall a very well produced album…’ (This quote was translated from German) – written by Mike Korbik for Guitars Galore, Berlin, Germany. mail@twang-tone.de
“Although I was expecting some saccharine sweet over produced mid-American rawk, Johnnie Burton has put together an album which sounds remarkably fresh from start to finish by fusing a punk attitude with ferocious energy. Burton carves her way through eleven 3-minute punk rock tracks without sounding trite or formulaic… A pleasant surprise.” -written by Shane Blanchard for Tasty Magazine, Leeds, England. www.tastyfanzine.org.uk
“[track 3] Volcano provides a punchy taster of Johnnie Burton’s attention-grabbing and accessible rock. The album has been released totally independently…” –Record of The Day, UK. www.recordoftheday.com
