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"It" Factor Ria by Mike Grutka Rating: 4 out of 5 stars There are few artists out there anymore that transcend. The type of artists that used to take you away from the mundane of the everyday, and deliver you into spaces of passion, emotion and soul. With the harmonies of their voice and the magic behind their music they wouldn’t just create songs; they created worlds. Mike Grutka has created such a world, and it’s called Ria. Top Of The World – This first track off of Ria introduces listeners to Mike Grutka’s gruff yet smooth voice. At times, particularly during this track, it sounds very much like Tom Petty fussed with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. It’s sweet with just a hint of a twang. The result is unique enough that it acts as a crucial cornerstone for the entire album and could either make or breaks most tracks. Luckily Mike Grutka’s voice vastly makes most of the tracks on this album. With “Top of the World” in particular it turns a simple pop melody in the vein of The Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” into an alternative/folk track that would make Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers proud. Denver (Spinning Around) – Deserves to be the one that makes Mike Grutka a household name. It’s not a song of breakout moments, but it doesn’t need them. With catchy hooks that sink in deep and a rhythm similar to R.E.M.’s hit “Shiny Happy People,” this song has single written all over it. Read the full review here Ria from Mike Grutka Review by: Dan MacIntosh Rating: 3 stars out of 5 Singer/songwriter Mike Grutka is hell bent on never sticking to any one musical style. He hops – chameleon-like – from genre to genre, like an impatient driver flipping around the radio dial while stuck in morning traffic. The best Grutka is one that digs old R.E.M. recordings, and even older Byrds discs. “Denver (Spinning Around)” is one such winning guitar jangle fest that brings to mind those days back when Michael Stipe mumbled his lyrics and nobody cared. The song’s lyric talks about seeking meaning in travel. While name-dropping big city names all over the States, Grutka mentions at one point: “Walking out will set you free/When I finally left the path they’d shown me.” This last line, in particular, suggests that true happiness is only discovered when one sets out to make his or her own path. “Come With Me” comes off a little like a nice Byrds-y ballad. Its lyric also suggests there is power in motion. “Take me by the hand, come away,” Grutka pleads. Grutka uses a similar lyrical device during “The Sea” where he suggests, “Take my hand and life is sweet”. Mike Grutka has a lot of fine music in him. One has to wonder what else he has up his sleeve. Ria may get a little too adventurous for its own good at times, but since Mike Grutka is such a skilled songwriter, he’s able to hold it altogether. This is one musical career to keep an eye on. The twelve songs on this album, all Grutka originals, range from love songs to rock ballads about ambition to songs that chronicle self-discovery. The songs are radio friendly. “Goodbye” (is) a simple song that has a heart-tugging melody, superbly delivered by Grutka’s vocal style. The production is restrained, though there is a lot going on for the ear to hear. It is mainly the simplicity of the vocals and the guitar that make the song stand out. Very nicely done. “Actress” is another gem on this album. It’s upbeat, yet with an inner melancholy woven into the lyrics. “Everything” also is another peppy tune with darker undertones. “Same Thing” has a Beatlesque feel while it points to a sort of spinning, non-movement of a life. Ria starts slow but hits its stride in the middle. …the album works, mostly because it creates a mood that is infectious. It will be interesting to see what Mike Grutka does with his next album, which is waiting in the wings for release. Jim McGuinn- Program Director "Good songs, great voice...And compared to most of what I hear, I actually enjoyed listening, which says a lot these days." WIUX Review by: Sally Niezer Mike Grutka’s album Myself Again has a soft rock feel mixed with a slight throw back to the 70’s classic rock era. The lead singer sounds remarkably like Michael Stipe, the lead singer from REM. The album is creative, enjoyable, and all the songs have an ease to them which makes it a relaxed listen.
“Simply one of the top 5 bands I have ever seen.” Barry Muscatello-Booking Agent Albany, NY
“Your songs really work well for a festival atmosphere. They are upbeat and the riffs are so happy and full of life.”
The Mike Grutka Project..."Think R.E.M. meets Dave Matthews Band but with a little more chutzpah."
WOCO 107.1FM 'Song for the Rain' reminds me of R.E.M. I really like it!"
Classically trained violinist Mike Grutka hasn't let textbook study drown his muse. In the multi-instrumentalist's second release, "Reach", Grutka acts as a guide for an enjoyable splurge of rythmic tunes, cranked through the dirty and distorted tubular amp like the great garage anthems of the modern age. Grutka has the rare ability to blend a world of influences-from subtle Rasta beats to hints of riffs from Zimbabwe influenced guitars-and churn it through the music machine in a way that makes it completely his own. All this and a singing voice that sounds uncannily like Michael Stipe. (3 1/2 stars out of 4)
...the passionate Mike Grutka recalls...the brightest songwriting superstars of the 70s."
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