American Beauties

For fans of the Jayhawks or Wilco you cannot go wrong with these guys…hell, if you dig Jeff Tweedy you may have just found your next favorite band.

There are tinges of Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Toad the Wet Sprocket here that I latch onto. The phrasing, the arrangement, the guitar parts. There is a catchy and mesmorizing character in the track “Miles from Nowhere”. Michael Gray’s voice lends itself to some sort of nostalgia sentiment that i long for and rarely find. This is a win for me…listen up! - Red Line Roots

AMERICAN BEAUTIES: TOO WORN TO MEND
Posted April 7th, 2014 by Bluesman2077 & filed under Reviews.

The American Beauties are a folk-rock quartet out of Somerville, Massachusetts who released their debut record, “Too Worn to Mend” in late 2012. The band’s sound has been widely compared to such bands as The Band, Crosby Still Nash & Young, and the Jayhawks. While the band’s sound is clearly influenced by these bands and others, make no mistake, they have a sound of their own.

The magic of this group comes in the way that the collective members, Michael A. Gray (vocals/guitar/harmonica), Jonas Kahn (guitar), Justin Kolack (Bass) and Jeff Allison (drums/backing vocals) complement one another with their respective craft and come together to create a strong groove that starts at the opening track of the record and carries on through to the end. For an independently made record, “Too Worn to Mend” is produced and mixed masterfully.

While the whole record is very strong, I will showcase a few tracks that stood out to me. “Hole in My Lung” and “Miles from Nowhere” are two songs that capture the essence of the band. While many of the bands comparisons are drawn from bands from the 70s’s, both of these songs remind me of the brilliant band out of Seattle, Band of Horses. “Last Dance” is a beautiful duet that features Amber Casares sharing vocal duties with Gray, as well as a lovely string arrangement. “Grace Under Fire” is the feel good song of the album and sounds like it could have come from an Eagles record. Finally, the track “Deep Blue Lake” really showcase the vocal abilities of Michael A. Gray, and also has some beautiful harmonies which really make the song shine.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience American Beauties thanks to a submission to this website. Otherwise, I may have missed out on a great record. Being a fan of indie music comes with a huge responsibility that goes just beyond supporting the music. When we find a band or record that really excites us, we must spread the word so that others may do the same thing. There is power in word of mouth, Facebook posts and tweets. They can make a huge difference to a band and to a record. I am telling you that American Beauties is an awesome band who have made a wonderful record called “Too Worn to Mend.” Now it’s your turn. Go and experience them for yourself. I think that you will be glad that you did. If you like what you hear, you know what to do! - The Music Room

American Beauties debut release "Too Worn To Mend" reached No. 1 on the WVIA music charts for the week of November 26, 2012. The album was also selected as "Album Of The Week" and reviewed live on-air on Wednesday November 21, 2012 by George Graham, WVIA's well-respected Music Director. - George Graham, WVIA Musical Director

Artist: American Beauties
Non-Airable Tracks: NONE
Label: Independent

If your cup of tea is chill, folk-pop, I-heard-this-at-a-coffee-shop music, then American Beauties is your cup of tea. The band is from Somerville, Massachusetts and cites Wilco, Neil Young, and Radiohead as some of their influences. I don’t necessarily agree there, but either way the songs on this album are smooth-listening folk-rock-pop—whatever that means.

Sounds Like: Neil Young
Sounds Like: Barenaked Ladies
Recommended Tracks:
1--Relaxing, easy listening opening to the album. Unlike the other songs in that it sounds more like Iron & Wine and less like country.
6--There’s a great guitar break in this song that adds to the upbeat lyrics.
Name: Kalli Wolf
Date Reviewed: 11/28/2012
AltFolk-Rock-Pop
- Kalli Wolf

Dark Horse Nashville
December 10, 2012

Too Worn To Mend
American Beauties
Label: Indie
Release Date: October 2012

American Beauties launched a full-length debut, “Too Worn To Mend” in October (2012) as a folk pop/rock group led by Michael Gray. A singer/songwriter who co-produced the 11-cut volume with Ducky Carlisle, Gray’s determination and ambition are palpable. He took an artistic risk releasing a full-length debut. The risk is duly noted.

“Too Worn To Mend” pops till it rocks in a retro AM radio style. Familiar like a favourite pair of jeans, this is easy listening music without stigma.
There’s a great deal of art found throughout “Too Worn To Mend.” Gray writes interesting lyrical vignettes. Musically there are gems. Gone Gone has high appeal as a single with obvious influence from early rockers. On A String is a solid second pick. The album’s title emerges in the lyrics here. The dark horse is a soulful and earthy, Grace Under Fire that rocks in a southern style, but it’s not a straight shot of country. This is Americana.

Overall, Gray created an interesting, nostalgic frosh outing. - Dark Horse Nashville

Breakout artists, ‘American Beauties’ of Somerville, MA have released their debut record ‘Too Worn To Mend’ which is taking off on radio across the US, Canada, and the UK.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 26, 2012 -
Breakout artists, ‘American Beauties’, an original independent folk-rock band from Somerville, Massachusetts, have recently released their debut record ‘Too Worn To Mend’. The album, a mix of contemporary and roots influences, was recorded at Ice Station Zebra in Medford, Massachusetts by Grammy award winning engineer Ducky Carlisle.

American Beauties are enjoying favorable success on indie radio across the US, Canada, and the UK. With a combined effort from their publicists LadyLake Music and radio distribution by Tinderbox Music, their new CD has been selected for airplay and promotion on these stations:

WUPX, WMTU, AM1700 - Michigan

KPUR, KEOL - Oregon

KMNR, KDWG - Montana

WFHU - Tennessee

KOTO, KDNK, KCSU - Colorado

KEUL, KBBI - Arkansas

KTSW, KANM - Texas

KAMP - Arizona

KUST, KFAI - Minnesota

KSSU, KGAR, KMUD, KCSS - California

KUNI, KWLC, KRNL - Iowa

KLCZ - Idaho

WUSO, WOUB, WJCU, WMCO - Ohio

KZMU, KWCR - Utah

KTUH - Hawaii

KTCV - Washington

KRVS - Louisiana

WSIA, WCVM, WDWN, WBNY, WAIH - New York

WSFX, WVIA, WVMW, WXAC, WXLV, WNJR, WPPJ, WRKC, WIXQ, WLVR, WESS, WARC, WVIA (charted) - Pennsylvania

WAKE - North Carolina

WSIN, WXCI, WCNI, WECS, WHUS - Connecticut

WGLS - New Jersey

WRFL -Kentucky

WTCC, WKKL, WMUA, WCHC - Massachusetts

WRDP, WLCA, WEFT - Illinois

WUMF, WMPG - Maine

WMHD - Indiana

WRST, WSUM, WWSP, WMUR, WOJB, WRNC, WMSE, KUWS -Wisconsin

WOWL - Florida

WUSC - South Carolina

WVRU - Virginia

WWPV – Vermont

CILU, CSCR - Ontario

American Beauties are also airing on the following indie stations and shows: Brooklands Radio, Olympic Radio, and Bishop FM in the UK and Wrecking Ball Radio, Crunch Radio, Ben AM-FM, New Driven Radio, the Penguin and Indie 104 LA.

Reverbnation.com/americanbeauties

--- End --- - LadyLake Music