Pentley Holmes Band
Phillipsburg, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2015
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Singer-songwriter Pentley Holmes rides a mid-tempo groove that burns slowly, but brightly, on his new single "Shape Up."
Fusing together bits of folk, country and Gold-era Ryan Adams, "Shape Up" is more of an exercise in vocal stretching for the Phillipsburg resident than anything else. To that effect, Holmes sets his pace early on, locks in tight and uses his voice to carry the melody along nicely.
Holmes also gets bonus points for a simple, yet effective chorus. "Shape up, ship out," he belts out as the plucky guitar riff gives way to a soaring vocal run in the song's final act.
"Shape Up" is the first single from Holmes' upcoming album Rip Out My Heart. Rip Out My Heart will be available Sept. 23.
Catch Holmes in concert on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton. Holmes will be performing that afternoon alongside singer-songwriters Carter Lansing, Mike Roi and Shane Reimer as part of the Bastard Sons of Burt Sugarman ensemble. Admission is free. Show time is 3:30 p.m. - Dustin J. Schoof
Artist: Pentley & The Lucid Dreamers
Album: Rip Out My Heart
Released: Sept. 23, 2016
Genre: Folk/Soul/R&B
Check out Pentley & The Lucid Dreamers at The Wooden Match in Bethlehem, Friday night beginning at 10 p.m.
I first met Pentley Holmes earlier this month at Roi & The Secret People’s show on December 3 at The Funhouse. After getting formally introduced, he handed me a copy of his album, “Rip Out My Heart.” He suggested, when I sat down to review the album, that I pay attention to the album’s artwork – particularly, the expression on the girl’s face – as it holds a key to the theme of the release.
pentley-and-the-lucid-dreamers-girl-face
Keeping the girl’s look of half-in, “let him down gently” disillusionment in mind (while her counterpart has quite literally served up his heart), I can tell you that Pentley & The Lucid Dreamers have expertly delivered eight tracks that tell the story of a man burned by a love that was seemingly unrequited from the beginning.
Opening track “Lonely” sets a cautiously hopeful tone, even if rooted in the presumably false assumption that the object of our protagonist’s affection is, indeed, as lonesome as he believes. By the time we reach “Betty,” we can gather that Pentley has discovered his love interest to be going in a different direction, as the tune’s lyrics openly criticize her decisions and the people believed to be affecting them.
Later, the title track looks at the relationship in a more reflective state; one where the singer seems to pin the blame on himself for things not working out.
Sonically, “Rip Out My Heart” draws on influences from the early days of rock and roll, giving the album a true vintage feel. Hints of blues exist in the guitar work (take closing track “The Devil,” for example), while Pentley’s vocals are clean and soulful with an R&B edge.
Track listing:
Lonely
Shape Up
Talk
Betty
Saving Kisses
Rip Out My Heart
Reasons
The Devil - Lehigh Valley Underground
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
New Jersey native, Pentley Holmes is truly that rare artist whose work achieves both technical and emotional brilliance.
A self taught guitarist and vocalist, Pentley is as well-rounded musically as they come.
Pentley’s background in creative writing allows him to unite his musical talent with an authentic expression of what it means to be alive.
Not only the nephew of the inspirational heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes, Pentley is a fighter in his own right.
In 2009 he survived a typically lethal ruptured brain aneurysm.
His survival and recovery after 15 days in ICU only furthered his inborn passion for life and his place in the world as a musician.
Pentley’s debut album “Rip Out My Heart,” offers a beautifully rendered glimpse into the depths of these human experiences.
He sings passionately and uses his instrument as the ultimate medium to express
himself applying it into a soup of contemporary blues and rock, soul and pop they
resonate flavors concocted with points to say and purpose to move.
Throughout the years he has been gaining notoriety by touring regionally and nationally
from coast to coast performing in bars, theatres, festivals, and concert halls with a live
performance that is compelling, heartfelt and not to be missed.
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