Review of Nottingham Show

07.23.2008
Publication Name: 
NG Magazine
Publication URL: 
http://www.ng-magazine.com
Author: 
Danny Wilson

This music will linger long in the hearts and minds of the fifty or so fortunate souls sat in the Maze witnessing this wonderful gig, a testament to the healing redemption of rock and roll sung from the heart.

Trouble arrives in a crumpled, ill-fitting funeral suit, scuffed up shoes and a hangdog frown. AJ Roach takes the stage looking like a riverboat gambler or a disgraced Southern preacher. He scrapes his lank, greasy hair out of his eyes, pushes his glasses up his nose and starts punching out chords on his battered acoustic guitar.

A stream of folk-rock invective

A. J. Roach - Fashionistas

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
The Hype Machine
Publication URL: 
http://hypem.com
Author: 
The Late Greats

I get A LOT of music sent to my inbox. Most of it is destined for the Trash. But sometimes, an artist strikes a chord (no pun intended) and I wonder why more people aren’t blogging about them. A.J. fits that bill.

I get A LOT of music sent to my inbox. Most of it is destined for the Trash. But sometimes, an artist strikes a chord (no pun intended) and I wonder why more people aren’t blogging about them. A.J. fits that bill.

'Revelation' - Medley Review

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
Medley
Author: 
0

Both this album [Revelation], and his first album, "Dogwood Winter" are excellent. Highly recommended.

Both this album [Revelation], and his first album, "Dogwood Winter" are excellent. Highly recommended.

4 To Watch: A.J. Roach - Raising The Roof

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
Paste Magazine
Author: 
Kate Kiefer

[Roach] steeps his music in rich mountain traditions, and then weaves modern imagery and instrumentation throughout. From spry-sounding suicide ballad “Clinch River Blues” and desperate lament “Streets of Omaha” to the gospel-influenced, anti-war title track, Revelation is an endearing anthology of life stories, colored with hearty, twangy vocals, plenty of strings and that unmistakable bluegrass spontaneity.

[Roach] steeps his music in rich mountain traditions, and then weaves modern imagery and instrumentation throughout. From spry-sounding suicide ballad “Clinch River Blues” and desperate lament “Streets of Omaha” to the gospel-influenced, anti-war title track, Revelation is an endearing anthology of life stories, colored with hearty, twangy vocals, plenty of strings and that unmistakable bluegrass spontaneity.

A.J. Roach, "Revelation", Waterbug Records, 2007

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
Minor 7th
Publication URL: 
www.minor7th.com
Author: 
David Kleiner

Roach's second release is as tuneful as it is dark and a true revelation. Finely etched lyrics and musical adventurism in service of song make "Revelation" the best album I've reviewed this year.

Roach's second release is as tuneful as it is dark and a true revelation. Finely etched lyrics and musical adventurism in service of song make "Revelation" the best album I've reviewed this year.

A.J. Roach, why d'ya gotta look so young and sound so wise?

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
San Francisco Bay Guardian
Publication URL: 
www.sfbg.com
Author: 
Todd Lavoie

'Revelation' displays a deep reverence for the music of his spiritual ancestors. That being said, the man didn't grow up in a time-capsule, and so just like the aforementioned artists [Will Oldham, Vic Chesnutt and David Eugene Edwards], he brings an indie-rock-informed attitude and sensibility to the music ... Roach knows what he's doing, and he does it remarkably well.

'Revelation' displays a deep reverence for the music of his spiritual ancestors. That being said, the man didn't grow up in a time-capsule, and so just like the aforementioned artists [Will Oldham, Vic Chesnutt and David Eugene Edwards], he brings an indie-rock-informed attitude and sensibility to the music ... Roach knows what he's doing, and he does it remarkably well.

A.J. Roach - Revelation

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
Paste Magazine
Publication URL: 
www.PasteMagazine.com
Author: 
Andy Whitman

Revelation is a simultaneously grim and lovely album, full of sharp, vivid writing and soulful singing. It’s the southern gothic gospel of the halfway house and the homeless shelter, and it’s one of the best albums of the year.

Revelation is a simultaneously grim and lovely album, full of sharp, vivid writing and soulful singing. It’s the southern gothic gospel of the halfway house and the homeless shelter, and it’s one of the best albums of the year.

Best Little Venue In Brussels

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
expatica.com
Publication URL: 
www.expatica.com
Author: 
Paul Morris

Singer-songwriters wear their hearts on their sleeves and AJ is no different, his is music pared down to the essentials, appealing to us because it has direct access to the soul.

Singer-songwriters wear their hearts on their sleeves and AJ is no different, his is music pared down to the essentials, appealing to us because it has direct access to the soul.

AJ Roach @ SXSW 2007

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
TurnItUpOrTurnItOff Productions
Publication URL: 
http://www.stpaulus.de
Author: 
Steffen Paulus

The highlight of the set was a song called “Revelation”, the title track from his newest record, for which Nels Andrews added acoustic guitar.

The highlight of the set was a song called “Revelation”, the title track from his newest record, for which Nels Andrews added acoustic guitar.

A.J. Roach - Revelation (4 of 5 Smiley Faces)

01.01.2009
Publication Name: 
Ctrl-Alt Country
Publication URL: 
www.ctrlaltcountry.be
Author: 
Benny Metten

Songs als het bijzonder soulvolle, mede door het orgel van Charlie Rowan gedragen “Freezing Car”, het met Anna Coogan gebrachte titelnummer en de fantastische opener “Clinch River Blues” zullen er wellicht zelfs voor gaan zorgen, dat we deze plaat straks in aanmerking zullen laten komen voor ons eindejaarslijstje.

Songs als het bijzonder soulvolle, mede door het orgel van Charlie Rowan gedragen “Freezing Car”, het met Anna Coogan gebrachte titelnummer en de fantastische opener “Clinch River Blues” zullen er wellicht zelfs voor gaan zorgen, dat we deze plaat straks in aanmerking zullen laten komen voor ons eindejaarslijstje.