Greg Tannen: Press

A gifted songwriter, Tannen provides an easygoing and heartfelt collection of rock-solid pop songs. Guitar and piano—tinged with gospel and blues—and pleasing harmonies all serve to showcase his bright, clear vocals and simple, perceptive lyrics.

The real delight is Tannen’s restrained vocal approach on songs like “On a Holiday” and “Beautiful Day,” in which his relaxed, velvet-wrapped tone croons, “Lost the clouds, lost the rain, it’s a beautiful day,” is nothing short of captivating. There’s plenty of fuel and lots of room to get on board this Rocket.

In a town full of aspiring singer-songwriters, Greg Tannen must be one of New York City's best kept secrets. His two previous releases, Roam and Coney Island, were crammed with the kind of slick, acoustic laid-back folk pop that won him a string of prestigious songwriting awards and invited stylistic comparison with such luminaries as Jack Johnson.

Tannen's third solo effort, Rocket triumphantly carries on in the same vein, wrapping unforgettable melodies around his smooth, undeniably commercial vocals and a sharp, crisp production that belies its small budget. The immediate melody of jaunty opener “Something About October” gets the album off to a superb start, and the memorable “On a Holiday” is a glorious slice of summery pop.

“Things Don't Always Work Out” is a little more downbeat in tone, but still impresses with its haunting piano flourishes and yet another smooth hook line. The evocative “Beautiful Day” details the simple joy of seeing blue skies and sunshine, while “Save Us From the Light” demonstrates once again the diversity of Tannen's songwriting.

However, the outstanding moment of a stunning album is the quite brilliant “Somebody True”, which packs a real punch with its soulful vibe and accomplished musicianship.

Rocket is the work of a singer-songwriter at the peak of his creative talent, who on this evidence, should be aiming for the stars.

When an artist's bio includes a phrase like "son of an amateur jazz pianist and the grandson of a magician," you know you're in for a ride. Greg Tannen, the descendant in the aforementioned quote, doesn't disappoint with Coney Island. This collection of gritty songwriter pop carries tinges of soul and old-time R&B with its rock leanings.

A previous DIY pick, Tannen's songs have been featured on Dawson's Creek, Party of Five and NPR's Here and Now, as well as winning their fair share of awards. With electrified tunes like "It's You" and "Coney Island, Mid-July," it's easy to see why.

Tannen's music is accessible and catchy as hell, but he's also incredibly perceptive in his concise and touching observations on the tiny moments that make life such a bittersweet little adventure.

Gone are the days when the term 'independently released music' would provoke accusations of it being badly written, poorly produced and sloppily performed. These days, it signals quite the opposite, and one listen to Greg Tannen's superb, self-released 'Roam' is more proof of that fact.

Tannen is one of a seemingly lost generation of singer songwriters otherwise known as storytellers. His music is not only defined by the irresistible melodies and some great acoustic playing, but also by the journey his lyrical detail will take you on. Australian solo artist Paul Kelly and US legend Tom Petty are heavyweight examples to use in the same sentence, but Tannen has shades of both and a style uniquely his own.

Like me, you will no doubt initially struggle to skip past the excellent opening track 'Lucky This Time'. With the aid of Don Everett Pearce's harmonica magic, the tune has echoes of the Gin Blossoms' 'Follow You Down' and Paul Kelly's 'Love Never Runs On Time', but it is mesmerizing all the same. The quintessential road song, its theme is escape, and the lyrics weave an acutely observed tale of sights, sounds and relationships into the addictive, upbeat music. It's a perfect combination, and with lyrics like "Cruisin' past a chevy/eyes are getting heavy/ and I lean my head out the side/the wind feels cool and the stars are shining blue/the radio's trying to fill up the night", you simply can't fault it.

If you manage to tear yourself away from the opener, then you are duly rewarded with more of Greg's tantalizing vocal style and hook- laden tunes. Once again, the moody 'Everything I Said' reveals another cast of characters on the edge, and once again not a word is wasted nor a detail omitted in Tannen's lyrics. Throw in a great melody and it's not hard to see how Greg recently won the John Lennon Songwriting award in New York.

The song that was nominated is the folky 'Vegas Baby', a co-write with brother Steve Tannen, is hidden at the end of the album as a final treat. However the great songs keep coming long before then. The bouncy, upbeat rhythm of 'Can't Give Her Up' boasts some neat electric work and percussion from Craig and Chris Benelli, part of Tannen's tight backing band, while 'Back On The Bus' has a similar funky attitude and knack for a story. Travelling by Greyhound was surely never this much fun.

However, it's the captivating, epic 'Mary' that really grabs the headlines behind the opener, and once more reveals Tannen's ability to pen songs which offer a widescreen sweep of real life with an intimate focus on poignant detail: "Come on just once just take a chance/on me, on love, on romance".

With the precedent set by 'Roam', I can only hope the songs Tannen is working on for his next record are as excellently performed, well-written and sharply observed as these. With that in mind, there's only one thing left to say - get recording, Greg!

His music is what we'd call adult acoustic rock, and this guy knows how to ignite interest and jam out. "Annabel's Falling" is a real sweet Mayerish ballad with some great lyrical hooks, while "It's You" takes a soft rock-blues approach to a love song. He reminds me a little of Alex Woodard with his dreamy sound and enchanting vocals...he hit it big for me. One thing is for sure--this guy's got a voice of gold.

There's a line in Greg Tannen's song "Out of Town" that sums up the feel of every song on this CD: "There's a nice cool breeze blowing off of this sound..." I can feel it in my hair. This guy really has a thing for the open road. Most of the songs on the NYC artist's debut are about traveling, searching, and discovering. These folk rock songs have an adventurous spirit to them. "Roam" has been in my stereo for two days straight.

The next time Tannen goes road tripping, I want him to take a detour and pick me up. I was hooked from the beginning with the perfect driving song that opens the CD, "Lucky This Time." This track features an easygoing harmonica, rolling acoustic guitar, and free-spirited lyrics like "Hey la, I'm gonna be just fine, Hey la, I feel lucky this time." As he takes me travelling through the different places on this CD, I'm just hooked. His voice sounds like a male version of Tracy Chapman. His songwriting sounds effortless. He sounds ready for anything.

And God help me, he sounds so sexy sometimes. Driving is not the only thrill he writes about. "one two three babe ready or not, it's lovetown, love me...let your hair fall down and make it look right..." he sings in the cool, sensual city sound that is "Everything I Said." In "Mary," he drives off into the night with a girl who wants more out of life, singing in a voice that grows a little dangerous, "Come on just once just take a chance on me on life on romance, I want a night that lasts all night, I want you framed in starlight..." In "Back on the Bus" he gets right to the point: "She was raised on praise and built for the bedroom." Mmmph.

Every time I think I've picked my favorite track, I like the next one better. "Put on the Chains" is particularly beautiful and sad. So is "Added It Up," a whisper of a song, the blues sung to quiet folk music. I sat perfectly still listening to that one. The hidden track is also beautiful, this time for its harmony. (Tannen duets with his brother Steve. They sound great together.)

As I cue up "Back on the Bus" to hear that rolling guitar one more time, I have to wonder where this guy was when I was riding overnight on a Greyhound Bus from Daytona Beach to Raleigh a few years ago. I got stuck with a little kid kicking the back of my seat for the entire trip, and the passengers in this song get to ride with the road poet. Life is so unfair.

Tannen has a vocal style that is reminiscent of one half of David & Daivd or Train (a more recent reference), and when he blends it with himself or his brother it creates the same effect as the aforementioned groups. What's just as exciting is that he also has the writing chops that suggests he, too, could have the kind of success they had they had if those stars in heavens align themselves properly.

Greg Tannen is someone we'll ALL be listening to soon - especially if he has a live show as convincing as this album.

This New York City folk rock singer-songwriter demands your attention right off the bat with the gutsy, growling "Just Across the River": "You've been up in the downtown, down in the uptown, caressed, undressed and slapped around, when your soul aches, when your body shakes." From there, he tells stories of troubled angels, elusive love on dark city streets and wistful summer memories on boardwalks and beaches. Songs like "In America" and "It's You" are warm and romantic, but before you get too cozy, there's the stinging anger of "Nothing from You." ("You don't even look good on your back," he snaps. Ouch.)

His lyrics are always vivid, especially in "Train Girl," in which he sees a girl on a subway and imagines the entire course of their relationship before she gets off at the next stop. Never one to sit still long, the band erupts into freewheeling, bluegrass-like fun on "Concrete and Steel," with wailing harmonica and soulful piano. This CD is like a summer evening ride on the Tilt- A-Whirl. Like summer, it's way too short. I could listen to this guy tell stories forever.