Rambles.net
February 26, 2005
written by Tracie Vida
Anyone who has ever lived near water, or at least dreamed of that chance,
will instantly be attracted just to the title of Secret Beach Solos. The promise
of mystery, shifting shorelines, breathtaking sunrises -- who could resist? And Secret Beach
headman Eric Roth delivers. Striking out on his own with this second release, he produces a
dreamy, smooth blend of acoustic jazz, folk and new age sensibilities that perfectly mirror
the shifting moods of the coast.
The album's timbre is set from from the opening track: the smooth, jazzy, relaxing tones of
the acoustic-guitar heavy "In Another Time." Roth follows this with another dreamy and lightly
ennuic piece, "Secret Beach." Then comes the album's weakest track, "Moonbeams & Daydream," a
solidly conceived number that, unfortunately, skims too closely towards the "college-dorm room
with a hookah" waters. But Roth recovers quickly from that low point with the final three
tracks: one long piece that he, for a reason I can't quite follow, decided to break into
pieces. But however he laid the tracks, Roth showed imagination with "Between the Dark &
the Daylight," a long piece recorded live on the shores of Lake Michigan, where nature is
the only musician and the diurnal rhythms, the composer. Certainly, a concept seen
before in many a new age album, but something indefinable hovers around this last piece
on the album. Some might call it the natural drama of nature.
But perhaps it is Roth's passion and love for his work that sets his final tracks, and,
indeed, his second recording, apart. He certainly has a vision and one you can share, as
he provides chord charts in the liner notes. But whether you are a budding acoustic
musician or just need to smooth out your edges, then Secret Beach Solos will give you
the cool, refreshing dip into the waters that you are seeking.
Splendid New Music Daily
January 1, 2005
review by Amir Karim Nezar
Eric Roth, the writer and musician behind all of the songs on Solos, has a
hell of a keen ear for sun-warmed melody. On an album that could pass for easy
listening, Roth has assembled mellow, highly competent instrumentation into
a beautiful set of highly scenic tunes. Great bass lines saunter back and forth
across his beachy atmosphere, smart acoustic movements flow across the sand
on salty breezes, and keyboard embellishments top off a smooth summer album,
perfect for getting away from the encroaching winter.
Chicagostonerrock.com September 2004 review by Stu Helm
This... is about one-hundred-million-trillion times lighter than most of the
music I listen to, but, despite my bad-ass metal self, I think I like it. The
all-instrumental songs are very well constructed and executed on guitar, bass,
keyboards and synth., but part of what I like about it is the story behind it.
Eric described in an e-mail to me, what sounded like great times, late night
jams, good friends... and a really cool spot along the lakeshore that the tunes
grew out of. I've always been a fan of mellow moods induced through music --
I had an awesome collection of Hawaiian vinyl for a good many years -- and I
still buy those cheesy "environmental" CDs that have babbling brooks, singing
crickets, and what-not on them, so I was psyched that Eric also chose to include
19 minutes of raw recorded sound from the shore of the lake. Whooshing waves,
chirping birds... ahhhh... sleepy time... The jacket includes the tabulature,
so that any one of us might some day find and join Eric, to jam it mellow, on
his secret beach.
Icon, September 2-15 1993
Arts and Entertainment
Secret Beach, Secret Beach
(Self-released demo cassette)
review by Mike Gerstbrein
This Chicago-based band could have a bright future ahead of them, as evidenced
by the three songs contained on this tape. Secret Beach blends a variety of
influences and sounds into pleasant, easygoing tunes that are alive with lucid,
thoughtful imagery and richly textured hooks and melodies. "The Little One"
kicks off the set with crisply strummed acoustic guitars, propelling a story
of reminiscence over what it felt like to be in a relationship that kept you
in a quixotic state of mind. "Painting Pictures" likewise deals with what it
means to dream (or daydream), and how the intensity and details that one's mind
supplies can effect the 'big picture' of life itself. Rounding out the tape
is "Little Girl Live Down My Lane," easily the most vigorous tune of the trio,
a light bluesy shuffly that sounds like a logical choice for a first single.
Secret Beach consists U of I graduate Eric Roth (guitarist and chief songwriter),
Andy Hush (bass), Brian Abraham (drums/percussion) and Mike Schmidt (vocals).
This "demo" boasts remarkably clear production that shows the band and their
songs in a very flattering light. If you're into strong, folk-based pop reminiscent
of early REM or Let's Active, here's a tape worth checking into.
Muse News, October / November 1993, Vol. 5, No. 10
Heartland Reviews by Randy VanHosen
Secret Beach 3-song cassette
This band hails from Deerfield, IL, just north of Chicago. They have managed
to put together one of the most professional 3-song demo packages I have seen.
Four-color jacket, lyric sheet, business card, biography and a nice cover letter.
The band knows how to take care of business and the expert package is wrapped
around three well-written songs to boot. Although there's only 14 minutes of
music on this tape, Secret Beach gets its point across quite well.
The first in this trio of tunes "The Little One" mixes personal poetry with
America-like harmonies and a lush guitar sound that's not only pleasing to the
ear, but also very friendly to those college radio big-wigs who decide what
those ears should hear.
Vocalist Mike Schmidt and guitarist Eric Roth are longtime friends who collaborated
like blood brothers to create flowing melodies with heart and soul. Bassist
Andy Hush weaves an impressive bass line around thi tune, reminiscent of Chris
Squire's finest moments with Yes.
"Painting Pictures" continues on the folk rock path with acoustic guitar and
a tickling of the ivories that adds an inviting backdrop to a soothing ballad
about dreams and illusions. Shifting gears a bit, the hectic chord changes of
"Little Girl Live Down My Lane" allows drummer Brian Abraham to cut loose and
bask inthe jazzy rhythms that drives this tune. "Little Girl" shows the "lively"
side of Secret Beach, a group that prides itself on an array of eclectiv influences.
I really like how this band has combined a neo-California folk rock sound with
soulful lyrics to create, not imitate their own unique magic.
Michael Harris, Editor
Illinois Entertainer, March 1994
Around Hear
Deerfield's Secret Beach check in with an impressive three-song demo. "The
Little One" is a catchy Femmes-style mover urged on by a chirpy guitar riff
and Mike Schmidt's David-Byrne-a-little-flat-vocals. "Painting Pictures" features
some timid piano lines beneath Eric Roth's straight rock chord strumming, Though
the slightly bloated"Little Girl Down my Lane" starts off with an intriguing
repeating guitar line and syncopated percussion before diving into its standard
rocker form, guest keyboardist Dan Gillogly's 70s soundtrack key punctuation
sounds terribly out of place (you almost expect that big "wacka-wacka" guitar
to come creeping in). Two outta three ain't bad.
Showcase Chicago
Mid-March/Mid-April - 1994
The Basement Tapes by Jason Roth
With a uniformly kicked-back stance, Secret Beach sets fairly imaginative
acoustic grooves, and spices them touches of free-flowing Cal-folk jaunts to
generally complimentary keyboard parts courtesy of Second City keyboardist Dan
Gillogly. Eric Roth's (no relation) songwriting is pleasant, showing a keener
knack for creative embellishment than for the laying of solid foundation. The
standard here is "Little Girl Live Down My Lane" a tasty slice of rock/soul
with a Gillogy's nearly successful stab at a Ray Manzarek organ flight. Overly
self-important press-release quote #562: "We're about creating something magical
that has never been done before." Hmmm.
The Wrap Up, Number 23 September 1993
Demop(H)ile by Mike Suede
Secret Beach
- This is a very atmospheric 3-song demo by a band that uses lots of acoustic
guitars and piano along side of the usual rockin' guitar sounds. Dreamy stuff,
really easy to listen to.
Toby Veach
Slowfish, #31, September 23 - October 6, 1993
Album and Demo Reviews
From Deerfield, IL comes a three piece outfit called Secret Beach. The name
of the band is actually a pretty good metaphor for the overall sound of their
music: a pleasant, relaxing place devoid of disturbing crowds. A place to escape
everyday life. A serene scene that inspires thoughtful contemplation.
The up-tempo opener, "The Little One" has a REM feel to it. Painting Pictures
is a ballad of sorts. while the closer, "Little Girl Live Down My Lane" has
a 12/8 jazz feel.. What stands out on Secret Beach is the vocal styling of Mike
Schmidt. At times he sounds exactly like Tracy Chapman which gives the band
a very likable folk sound.
This tape will probably brighten your day. Its acoustic clarity and flowing
harmonies offered a long needed respite for my oft-bombarded ears.
Brent Ritzel, Editor and Publisher
Tailspins Magazine - January 1994, Vol 3, # 11
Secret Beach
- Tasty, tight pop/rock arrangements with catchy interlacing guitar patterns.
The three songs range from driving, to touching, to hypnotic. Strong bass work,
professional arrangements - take this one to go.
