APPLEWINE REVIEW WATCH: The music blog Grave Concerns reviewed Applewine a couple of weeks ago, and I just stumbled across it. It’s a really good one too — insightful, interesting, and the reviewer (Matthew Johnson) seems to have really gotten it. Gaggles of thanks to Grave Concerns for that luverly piece of press! Here’s an excerpt:

Arrowsmith would be easy to write off as a silly song kind of guy, but he’s got a strong enough pop sensibility that even blatantly comical offerings like “I Hope You’re Never Crushed by Something Heavy” and “Coldplay Got Eaten by Piranhas” will get stuck in your head, but not in an irritating way like “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” No, you’ll be happy when they get stuck in there, like Beatles songs. Geeky, geeky Beatles songs.

Read the rest here.

In other news, I’m itching to play some shows. Care to scratch my itch? Maybe put some aloe on it…?

Whirly,
Alex

Well! I have yet another review to report, this one for Applewine (remember that, 2006?). The fine folks at music-reviewer.com gave me a great, thoughtful review and a 7/10 rating. Here is a taster:

This diverse mix of songs proves Arrowsmith is an eclectic songwriter that refuses to be pigeonholed . . . The songwriting is genius.

Click here to read the whole review, then have some crackers and clam dip. Please?

Adverbly,
Alex

WORD: Pucknation.com just posted their review of Applewine, and they gave it an 8/10 rating! I quoth: “A fun, well-done album from a quirky (possibly genius) pop singer-songwriter.” Click here to read the full review. Thanks all y’all at pucknation dot com!

Usually,
Alex

The indie review site Eartaste just posted their review of “Update Your Blog” from Applewine! And what else? They’re posting a couple more reviews of Applewine songs throughout the rest of the week.

Click here to let the prose melt your rusty joints.

Thanks to Eartaste for the support! That’s a rad site; it’s hard to find an indie review site that prolific.

Alex

Yet another review to kick off the newest of years. Smother.net just posted their review of Applewine (and it’s the editor’s PICK!). They must be insanely efficient, because I just sent it to them last week. I love them with all of my tooth hairs. Here’s a snippet:

As catchy as the common cold, Alex Arrowsmith reminds you of They Might Be Giants especially on songs like ‘Coldplay Got Eaten By Piranhas’, which would be wonderful especially if you have to listen to any modern rock radio for more than six hours.

Read the rest here!

Annually,
Alex

The indie review site Babysue just posted their Applewine review:

Alex Arrowsmith is a man with enormous talent and potential. Currently one of the thousands upon thousands of obscure home recording artists toiling away in obscurity, this man’s music stands out because there is substance in his recordings. Instead of merely throwing junk together and calling it music (which is what many underground artists are guilty of doing), Alex has a wonderful sense of melody, is astutely tight on the instruments he plays, and has a great voice. This is the fifth album that Alex has recorded and released. Applewine is full of nice, breezy, smart pop with a definite sense of humor. Although not a perfect album, listening to this CD is like watching a photograph develop…Alex may very well still be searching for his own unique sound and voice. But our instincts tell us that…if he keeps heading in the direction that this album hints at…he will very soon find himself a favorite with fans and reviewers. Our favorite tracks are “Land of Dainty Wonder” and “Corn Dog Shaped Like California.” Our hope is that Mr. Arrowsmith will be encouraged…rather than discouraged…by a rating of four plus plus plus…because in creating this month’s reviews we tossed quite a large number of CDs while opting to spin and absorb Applewine. Good stuff, well done. (Rating: 4+++)

Sweetness! Thanks Babysue. (I hope they don’t mind me reprinting their review here…I’m not quite sure what the etiquette for that kind of thing is? I think it’s okay as long as I link back to them?)

Read it on their site here.

Have a good New Year my children.

Yearly,
Alex

APPLEWINE REVIEW WATCH: The online music zine CD Reviews By You posted their review of Applewine and gave it a 5/5 rating! Cool stuff. Click here to read it!

Last night I played Naterageous’ birthday party, which I normally wouldn’t mention here because it was a birthday party and not a public show, but I played a full rock set with Michael Hurd on drums and Tristan Tower on bass, and it ruled. It was great to get away from the acoustic thing for a change. But anyway, the show was videotaped, and will be on YouTube at some point, so keep on eye out for that. Or just check here 10 times a day.

Benfoldsly,
Alex

APPLEWINE REVIEW WATCH: Today indie-music.com posted their review of Applewine! It’s a good review too. I quoth:

Alex Arrowsmith is quirky, intelligent, and fun, writing playful and often childlike melodies surrounded by jangly guitars and sophisticated pop.

Thanks guys!

Click here to read the review!

Superfluously,
Alex

————–

AFTERNOON UPDATE: Well, when it rains it snows! The Chickenfish Speaks posted their review of Applewine as well:

Alex Arrowsmith is a singer / songwriter in the vein of Ben Folds, with a very quirky way with lyrics. I guess you could say he even has a touch of Weird Al, which in my opinion is a positive thing. Nice, laid-back college rock with a sense of humour and effortless talent. One of the funniest/quirkiest songs is “Coldplay Got Eaten By Piranhas”, which is the singer’s bad day made worse when he found out the news that Coldplay got eaten by piranhas. Most of the songs continue on this route, with a few clunkers along the way, but nothing to make me avoid this release. A nice refreshing blast of fun. –Grog Mutant (2006)

Click here to read it on the page.

Thanks Grog, wherever you may be!