The Critics Speak About The Heartsleeves!
"The HeartSleeves are living legends. True masters of the art of emotional music without being whiney, a feat thought of as impossible by most modern musicians. However the most interesting thing about The HeartSleeves is not their commitment to blending emotional lyrics with old-soul rock n roll. It’s the fact that they have been quietly regarded as one of Boston’s best kept secrets since early 2007.
The HeartSleeves are fully backed by two extremely solid releases (one past and one future). 2009 saw their first album titled “Dirt & Water”. This release caught the Boston scene completely off guard with its catchy hooks and deep lyrical content. I’m sure you’ve seen lesser bands crumble under pressure of having to match the power of their first release with their second. These guys have more than delivered with their sophomore full length “Peripheral People”. This album is 13 tracks of heart wrenching real life blues. “Sounds from real life”. This band lives true to their name, wearing their hearts on their sleeves through every minute."
Tyler Kershaw - UNregular Radio
The HeartSleeves are fully backed by two extremely solid releases (one past and one future). 2009 saw their first album titled “Dirt & Water”. This release caught the Boston scene completely off guard with its catchy hooks and deep lyrical content. I’m sure you’ve seen lesser bands crumble under pressure of having to match the power of their first release with their second. These guys have more than delivered with their sophomore full length “Peripheral People”. This album is 13 tracks of heart wrenching real life blues. “Sounds from real life”. This band lives true to their name, wearing their hearts on their sleeves through every minute."
Tyler Kershaw - UNregular Radio
"Deep, first word that comes to my mind when talking about The HeartSleeves. Deep vocals and music, they shake Brighton and Allston when they practice and bring down venues with every performance. Instead of giving them a genre I'd just say its deep HeartSleeves music, seems right."
Johnny Katz - UNregular Radio
“There is a palpable grinding sense to this song, and it is something we might dare call “groove”...The gravity in this song brings it soul...The melodies remain dynamic, sometimes soaring, sometimes bricking it out in the trenches of the register. Bassists, non-soloing guitarists and others take heart and notice: the rhythm section of “Dissolving” makes it all possible.”
C.D. Di Guardia, Boston Band Crush "Dissolving":
“The Heartsleeves brand of roots/ funk/ neo-soul.. the idea of a groove- the tightness, the chemistry and the way they can play off each other.. The sax is stellar... the solos are fantastic.. the vocals are extremely well done. They are bright, strong, and are used in interesting rhythmic ways..”
MicControl Jon - MicControl Review "Dirt & Water":
““Leslie” moves in pseudo-slow motion; like every element of the song is just a little heavier and meatier than you might initially expect...giving the track an element of gravity and soul..like a shiny new gun. The brass/standard rock band combo creates an E-Street like sensation...This song’s success comes mostly from its recurring theme. The motif is strong enough to hold its own through the multiple sonic incarnations, but the most telling moment is how it impressively ties the end of the bridge section together...“Leslie” makes it all work, even somehow including the word “Schenectady” in the lyrics. That alone is worth the price of admission – I can barely say it (or type it) – but the Heartsleeves makes it all happen.”
C.D. Di Guardia, Boston Band Crush "Leslie":
“A beefy, powerful vocal is the centerpiece of the track - everything else sets the table but vocalist Jared Lucas Nathanson brings the steak. There is no weak spot in “Peripheral People” - even when hitting his high notes at the top of his range, Nathanson’s voice is broad and and powerful. The instruments, once having found their cruising altitude, have a little bit of fun with the song, backing each other up for tiny little side-explorations into alternate destinations for the melody. The entire affair takes a few enjoyable little swerves towards the end of the track. These little journeys go unheralded until the very end, adding a fun little twist on the end of a strong, straight-up track.”
C.D. Di Guardia - Boston Band Crush "Peripheral People":
Johnny Katz - UNregular Radio
“There is a palpable grinding sense to this song, and it is something we might dare call “groove”...The gravity in this song brings it soul...The melodies remain dynamic, sometimes soaring, sometimes bricking it out in the trenches of the register. Bassists, non-soloing guitarists and others take heart and notice: the rhythm section of “Dissolving” makes it all possible.”
C.D. Di Guardia, Boston Band Crush "Dissolving":
“The Heartsleeves brand of roots/ funk/ neo-soul.. the idea of a groove- the tightness, the chemistry and the way they can play off each other.. The sax is stellar... the solos are fantastic.. the vocals are extremely well done. They are bright, strong, and are used in interesting rhythmic ways..”
MicControl Jon - MicControl Review "Dirt & Water":
““Leslie” moves in pseudo-slow motion; like every element of the song is just a little heavier and meatier than you might initially expect...giving the track an element of gravity and soul..like a shiny new gun. The brass/standard rock band combo creates an E-Street like sensation...This song’s success comes mostly from its recurring theme. The motif is strong enough to hold its own through the multiple sonic incarnations, but the most telling moment is how it impressively ties the end of the bridge section together...“Leslie” makes it all work, even somehow including the word “Schenectady” in the lyrics. That alone is worth the price of admission – I can barely say it (or type it) – but the Heartsleeves makes it all happen.”
C.D. Di Guardia, Boston Band Crush "Leslie":
“A beefy, powerful vocal is the centerpiece of the track - everything else sets the table but vocalist Jared Lucas Nathanson brings the steak. There is no weak spot in “Peripheral People” - even when hitting his high notes at the top of his range, Nathanson’s voice is broad and and powerful. The instruments, once having found their cruising altitude, have a little bit of fun with the song, backing each other up for tiny little side-explorations into alternate destinations for the melody. The entire affair takes a few enjoyable little swerves towards the end of the track. These little journeys go unheralded until the very end, adding a fun little twist on the end of a strong, straight-up track.”
C.D. Di Guardia - Boston Band Crush "Peripheral People":
Full Reviews
9.20.2012 The Boston Local Music Show - UNregular Radio
(original article)
2.28.2012 UNregular Radio: "The HeartSleeves" by Tyler Kershaw
(original article)
10.5.11 Boston Band Crush: C.D. On Songs" The HeartSleeves - "Dissolving"
(original article)
3.17.11 Boston Band Crush: C.D. On Songs: The HeartSleeves - "Leslie"
(original article)
9.13.10 Boston Band Crush: C.D. On Songs: The HeartSleeves - "Peripheral People" (original article)
6.30.09 MicControl Album Review: "Dirt and Water" by The Heartsleeves
http://miccontrol.com/
Interviews
New Rock Band Fights Haman in Catchy Purim Song
3.23.2011 Renee Trilivas - The Return of Vinyl
http://reneetrilivas.com
9.17.09 SendMeMobile: The Heartsleeves Interview
http://blog.sendmemobile.com/