The Rotary Prophets

There is little of the bothersome apathy displayed by so many bands today in the music of Rotary Prophets, a jangling alt-country group from Somerville, MA. This is music full of energy and passion, built around a solid understanding of classic Americana and country musical structures. It’s not hokey or twangy, mind you, but Faith – Lost – Love is well suited to spirited dancing across a straw-covered barn floor. The use of groovy, organ-y keyboards on many of their tracks, “Better Days” being a particularly strong selection, is especially infectious, at once recalling exultant gospel choirs and The Doors. This is a band that’s perfectly lovely to listen to on their band camp page, but also begs to be seen live. - Sharon Weissburg, BDCwire (Boston.com)

Sometimes it takes me a really long time to give something a listen that it is worthy of. This record was released back in September 2013 and I am just digging in deep now…apologies to the RP gents, but it’s a solid collection of great rock songs that is great for this “the weather is getting warmer” time of year.

The Rotary Prophets ring nostalgia to me. With overdriven guitars, great harmonies on the turnaround hooks with everyone singing along, and drums, keys and a great bass line. It brings my back to when I listened to Root- Rock before I knew it as “Roots-Rock”. There are hints of alt-rock ala the Replacements, Uncle Tupelo reminiscent rootsy goodness, and a little something all their own. I guess in the way that it has a broad spectrum of people who will eat up the sound, it has a pop sentiment in some way, but its roots are dug deep in roaring electric guitars and killer vocal harmonies.

‘Sweet Vanessa’ has that great sing along chorus that everyone and hteir best friend in the club will be singing along to. The piano trembling in the background is just the right touch. The guitar solo with its overdriven tone sings over the background tunes.

“Rose Colored Glasses” is another fun sing along tune…a similar recipe giving the EP a nice flow, but with a different lead vocalist from the band to give it some variety as well. Those harmonies still very prevalent and the great instrumentation as the backbone of it all.

When it comes down to it, it’s just good time music. It’s a fun listen, has lines that a broad audience will latch on to. The Rotary Prophets “faith – lost – love” is a collection of tunes for any fan of rock n’ roll, with hints of a lot of other good stuff. - Red Line Roots

I’m feeling a garage rock vibe to this self-labeled roots-based/ country-alt music. The underlying core of the sound is Americana/country but the rough-around-the-edges vocals and the guitar—even when it’s twang—has that driving rock urgency. On a second listen, I appreciated its nuances more—the classic cool keyboards that gives “Sandusky, Ohio (Sweet Vanessa)” and “American Dream” their jaunty feel; the melody and solidness of “Rose Colored Glasses” (one of my favorites); and the great drumming in “Angel Fire.” But the last track, “Better Days,” is the standout in this EP—I sense the soul of the band and this sincerity that pours through the lyrics and music and creates a visual image of some sort. I could see a rolling landscape, photos, a story in a film with “Better Days” punctuating the images. Someone put this song on screen! - Debbie Catalano, The Noise

So if that was the gentle goodbye to 2013 then let's bring 2014 in with some good old fashioned roots, rock, Americana power-pop. From Somerville, MA, The Rotary Prophets are a five piece that have been together for just over a year, but they've been in the music game for much longer. How can you not love a band with a guy who plays piano, organ and lap steel? That's good old Ted Collins. The main songwriter is John Maloney and the other three members are Dave Coughlan, Ray Boyce and Damon Vrettos. They have a deep rooted love of story songs and their five song EP called “Faith-Lost-Love” is jam packed with American tales and the love of the brave.

The first track from that EP, "Sandusky, Ohio (Sweet Vanessa)”, is a song about an unrequited love. What I call escalator love. When you fall in love with someone you see going the other way on an escalator. That bit of your day when you fall in love with a stranger you pass just by chance, you make eye contact, you know it could never work, but just for a second “it's sweet to feel that way”. I make absolutely no apology for liking this track and oh boy, that instrumental bit in the middle...is just great. Get yourself swinging your partner round to a honky tonk piano, The Rotary Prophets and "Sweet Vanessa". Yee ha! - Joanne Salisbury, The JosieJo Show - JosieJo's Great Big Pair of Tips

The Rotary Prophets, featuring primary songwriter John Maloney on vocals & guitar, Dave Coughlan on drums & vocals, Ted Collins on vocals, piano, organ, lap steel & guitar, Ray Boyce on bass & vocals and Damon Vrettos on guitar, kick out 5 well penned rock & roll numbers on their debut release "Faith • Lost • Love". Reminiscent of bands like Paul Westerberg & The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo and other American Roots rock acts, the Prophets employ swirling keyboard lines, buzzing guitars and robust vocals that give their songs staying power. Best tracks: the Springsteen inspired “American Dream”, the keyboard fueled “Angel Fire”, and the anthemic “Better Days”. Top 5 for March 2014. - Douglas Sloan, Metronome Magazine

We've got some down home powerpop meets alt-country, courtesy of The Rotary Prophets. The Rotary Prophets are a tight, skilled combo spiked by keyboards and excellent harmonies, and they're really rockin' Precinct! Check 'em out at https://www.facebook.com/TheRotaryProphets - David Bash, CEO, The International Pop Overthrow Festival