Artist description Melodrome delivers contemporary rock music with a slight retro flavour. Think U2 meets Beck and then hangs out with the Stones. Simple, pulsing drums, smooth, tight bass lines, haunting guitars and hypnotic vocals combine to make a sound so deep it could change your DNA. Their songs are intoxicating and emotionally overwhelming, delivering forth the soul of Melodrome's "pop song solution."

Music Style Pop/Rock

Similar Artists U2, The Rolling Stones, Beck, Coldplay

Artist History [Robby Baier: vocals, guitar] Robby brings to this recording a solid background as a performer and songwriter, having most recently won the Musician's Atlas 2002 Independent Music Award for Best Pop/Rock Artist. His songs have appeared in various films and TV shows over the years including: "Drowning Mona", "The Brutal Truth", "Judging Amy", "Touched by an Angel", "Robocop", and "Walker Texas Ranger". In 1989, the year the Berlin Wall came down, Robby was the leader of Pearls at Swine, a Berlin-based rock band signed to BMG Records. He now lives in Housatonic, an old mill town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he has converted the former train station into a recording studio. Robby played and recorded all the instruments on his 1998 debut solo album,"Soultube". The Boston Herald has said, "Baier sounds like Mick Jagger under the guidance of Ani diFranco" and NorthEast Performer Magazine called his CD "an album of singular vision and wrenching honesty, a collection of deeply moving aural canvases". Robby has been nominated for two Boston Music Awards. [Jesko Stahl: bass, vocals] Jesko was also a member of Pearls at Swine in Germany. He relocated to New York City three years ago, and has recorded and performed with numerous New York bands including Punch Havana, Air-o-sol, Fagen, Stella Soleil and Thirst. Jesko has composed the music for two independent films, "The Fly" and "The Last Minute of JFK". With Robby, he produced Meg Hutchinson's CD, "Against the Gray", and together they engineered, mixed, and produced the Melodrome CD. [Darren Todd: guitar, vocals] A gifted multi-instrumentalist, producer and session player, Darren is well versed in many genres and is an accomplished performer and instructor of classical guitar. Darrren has recorded and toured internationally with Arlo Guthrie, including performances at Farm Aid and Carnegie Hall. One of his projects included conjuring up experimental sounds with the avant garde Big Spider Tribe. [Matt Sloan: drums, vocals] Matt studied drums with renowned jazz drummer Randy Kaye (Jimmy Giuffre, Jimi Hendrix). Besides being a drummer, he plays a number of other instruments including guitar, bass, and keyboard, and is currently working on his debut solo CD. Matt has recorded and toured with former Virgin recording artist Mark Curry, as well as numerous local and regional acts.

Group Members Robby Baier, Jesko Stahl, Matt Sloan, Darren Todd

Albums The Sidewalk Ends

Press Reviews (Steve Morse: Boston Globe) "....a cache of strong originals topped by a few outstanding tracks worthy of national attention." (Seth Rogovoy: Berkshire Eagle) "...an album chock full of radio hits, several of which... are as catchily moody as U2's "Walk On" or "Beautiful Day."" "...a soulful, funky, catchy musical delight that will sit comfortably in collections alongside CDs like U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind", Beck's "Midnite Vultures" and well-worn LPs like John Lennon's "Double Fantasy" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On."" (Larry Parnass: Daily Hampshire Gazette) "The Sidewalk Ends" is packed with interesting and engaging work, from the spareness of the love song "Highest Ground" to the rap and tight syncopation of "Genepool." (Derek Sivers: CD Baby.com) "We get about 40 new albums a day coming in here now, about 12,000 total, and [Melodrome's] is one of the best I've ever heard!" (Tony Alexander: Founder Indie-Connections.com) "This is some of the best material I've heard in quite a while! Very original, well produced..." (Chris Gehringer: Senior Engineer at Sterling Sound, NYC) "This is my favorite album right now..." [WHAT FANS HAD TO SAY:] "This CD is so versatile it's not funny. It has a sound that you can listen to by yourself getting into it, have it on at a party for dancing, or even as background music when you have a special someone over for a romantic evening. I was lucky enough to be able to sing along with these guys at a live performance and all I could say while driving back home was "These guys are DEFINITELY going to make it." I have nothing but love and respect for these guys and would do anything for them. GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!" "..all the way from Colorado, the sounds settle into the canyons of the wild west effortlessly. the subtleties and simplicities echoing throughout the album catch my ear repeatedly. Effervescense, purity, and earnest sounds emminate from this album -- from Robby's sometimes raspy heartfelt vocals to Matty's impeccable timekeeping, it takes me to the Highest Ground and lets me back down to touch motherearth weightless. The confines of entropy here are barely contained... and oh, they are about to fly. And, yes, dear listeners, Love IS the highest ground. Peace." "Truly another enjoyable release by Robby... great songs, more gutsy, original music to drive the lyrics home. I get that feeling of energy one hears during Robby's live performances encapsulated in a studio work. This CD stands apart from his last release as yet another example of Robby's versatility and talent. The minute you pop it into your CD player, you'll dig it. Great energy, oozing experience! Keep up the good work!" "This album is a ballsy mix of different styles of music, combined with lyrics Bob Dylan would be proud of. Melodrome's sound is unique and will engulf the listener immediately upon pressing the PLAY button. This record has quickly become one of my favorites and gets regular play in my stereo and has made its way into the stereos of many friends whom all love it as well. It is time that everyone pick up a copy of this album ASAP. Also check these guys out live! They put on an incredible show and is a MUST SEE when they are in your area. This is one CD that you won't regret buying and is worth alot more than they are charging for it."

Location Housatonic, MA - USA

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