::: R E V I E W S :::
Revolt Magazine September 2009
I love it when a friend says, "you have to hear my friend, he kicks ass", well, Lee you are correct. Michael McGraw has a sound reminiscent of one of my favorite singers Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers. His passion pours through the yrics, and the undeniable ability he has of transcending you deep inside the song, painting a picture you can loose yourself in, and just forget about the world around you. I would say this album is a great way to escape. Michael McGraw lead vocals/ guitar, Mark Lane bass, Ryan Johnson keys, and Chris Decatur drums/ vocals, is the incredible team that creates this complex, yet simple compilation of melodies. There really isn't a bad song on the album, but a few do stand out. "Carousel" is an upbeat story about just disappearing from the world and enjoying life. Then there's "motorbike", "drove for miles one by one, picture you lying there in the sun", I'm in. Album opener "Alittle better uniform" and "Hillside" definately sit at the top of my list. San Diego has alot of talent: you just have to be listening.
North County Times May 28 2009
San Diego's Michael McGraw has a new CD out that recalls the folk-rock crossover acts of the late 1960s through early 1980s, artists like Cat Stevens, Al Stewart or even fellow San Diegan Stephen Bishop. The structure of his songs is drawn mostly from folk music, but the full band and electric instruments give it a rock feel ---- as do the complex, layered arrangements.
McGraw's tenor voice bears a slight resemblance to Stevens', and if he hasn't yet written any songs on a par with the classic tunes that came from Stevens' pen, the first two songs on this EP are hypnotic little pop-rock gems. "Carousel" has as lovely a melody as you'll ever hear, and nice wordplay on the lyrics. The opening track, "Alittle Better Uniform," is equally hook-laden, and would have fit comfortably in nearly any week's American Top 40 list from the 1970s.
This is a release that makes McGraw a songwriter and performer to pay attention to.
-- Jim Trageser, staff writer
::: S T O R Y :::
Taking bits and pieces from melodic British rock, 90's American angst, and the heartfelt honesty of singer songwriters past and present, Michael McGraw has adapted a simple style to convey his song ideas. Since 2001, Michael McGraw has been honing his songwriting skills in local San Diego bands the Yellow Miseries (2001 - 2003) and True Crime Authors (2004 - 2007). After a few years and countless home demos, Michael McGraw has crafted a 6 song e.p. that blends a folk rock foundation that's full of harmonies with modern sonic touches. This is a cd that doesn't compromise ideas, doesn't sound like this or that, and doesn't follow any particular scene. What the new record entitled "the Hillside e.p." does do is entangle you in true, honest, good tunes. It's a sound that references many great artists like Stereophonics, King of Leon, Tom Petty and Elliott Smith but still twists itself enough to stand alone.
