Downbeat Switch: Reviews/Press

-Awards!
-Track of the Day on 18Nov2005 in Groove Rock
-Best Drums in Groove Rock, week of 14Nov2005
-Most Original in Groove Rock, week of 14Nov2005
-Feel Good Track in Groove Rock, week of 14Nov2005

Track of the Week Award for "Can't Stay Away"

Greetings Downbeat Switch, Thanks for sending in two songs that show a real concentration on building a melody, around a flowing rhythmic foundation......There is a real sense of band chemistry that I sense from the execution of the takes. It's evident that you guys have spent considerable time, in a rehearsal space - as well as, playing many a gig / party... I just wish that there was more in common w/ this listing's criteria. This executive is looking for more of a Indie Rock aesthetic, ala the Strokes, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, & White Stripes. There is much more of a Garage & New Wave underlining to their approach, as opposed to the Reggae Rock of Downbeat Switch....Best of luck.

Overall Comments:

Russell, Downbeat Switch sounds great! I love the energy, you have a great voice & good musicianship. Continue to work on these songs. They are good - make them amazing. Consider the chorus hook in each song and how you build up to it and deliver it. Make it powerful and memorable. You want your audience to come away singing your chorus hook. Also, you have an excellent feel for song form, but re-consider your arrangement and how your instruments and effects work together and support the vocal. Consider how much distortion you really want to use - does it add to or take away from the vocal and your message? You have three great songs started here. Keep writing and moving forward. All the best.

You guys have nice vibe to you and much potential. Work on strengthening your melodies and explore new textures, rhythms, riffs and sounds to separate you from bands in the same vein as you like Sublime or Even early Sugar Ray. Keep playing as your musicianship is good but could be great. And explore even deeper lyrics to mix with your laid back fun lyrics. I feel you. Keep it up.

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Groovy Jam Rock.....
Funky grooves ala greatfulldead meets sublime. Funky enveloped guitar and bass oh yeah were pumpin now. The vocals is where we gain the long beach vibe, except delivered with a slightly more joyfull tone. Sound like Good party music....lots of fun to dance to while rocking at the same time.

-tastyman
Corvallis, Oregon

Artist Review of "Can't Stay Away" -(Seconds -2005)

Yes, it's groovy!
Nice groovy guitar progression, the song has a cool feel. The vocals are really cool, kind groove meets rap. This song is nicely arranged and well performed. The guitar get a bit heavier in the middle of the song which is cool. This song has a barrage of sound, very cool.
Cool song
Extra Credit: Production, Lyrics, Mood.

- dysrocks
Seattle, Washington
November 6th, 2005

Artist Review of "Can't Stay Away" -(Seconds -2005)

Awesome Groove
I'm digging this song from the start... Really good Jazz/Funk infusion here. I can hear some Bare Naked Ladies style in the vocals and arrangement. These guys sound like they have a ton of fun writing songs and just jamming. I like the Wah Wah on the guitar. It makes for a good rhythm. The harmonies in the vocals are a perfect addition. At 2:30 there is a cool grove bridge that reminds me a bit of the Chilli Peppers, and it flows into a quick Beatle-ish part too. I really like the influences. I love this song. I would love to hear a hell of a lot more. Awesome Musicianship and a load of great talent. Good Production too. Keep up the good work!!!

Extra Credit: Production, Melody, Beat, Mood, Originality.

- MarkFekete
Spokane, Washington
November 27th, 2005

Artist Reviews of "Can't Stay Away" -(Seconds -2005)

Job well done!
Very interesting number, fans of Barenaked Ladies will definately enjoy this mini-epic. The performance, arrangement and vocals are spot-on, (and that's not all that easy given the tempo you are working with here!) I feel like you have to know this already and you just want reassurance, well, consider yourself reassured! The transitions between jazzy-funk to darn-near-metal, with unmistakable rap influences too.. it's quite a mixture and it's pulled off quite well. Great job, great song, bright future ahead..

-Extra Credit: Male Vocals, Production, Lyrics, Originality, Grooviest Rhythm.

- rikkroxx
Akeley, Minnesota
November 29th, 2005

Artist Review of "Can't Stay Away" -(Seconds -2005)

Trippy
Love the trippy intro, the funky wah, progressive groove. Great harmonies on the vox, phishy indeed. Touch of hippie stylee rap into a sonicly huge chorus
-Great feel to the song, like the Allman Brothers with a current spin and a jump to different genres. Vocals and harmonies are sweet and done well. Players are great, a fabulous arrangement with tons going on. If you like layers and a hard rawk/ska/with reggae finish, this tune is for you!

I would buy a disc by these dudes!

-Extra Credit: Male Vocals, Guitars, Production, Mood, Originality.

- sayuncle
St. Charles, Illinois
November 28th, 2005

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Sunny groove rock
Overall
-This is a song that makes the listener feel very good. It's extremely well produced and performed, as well as written - the melody is very sunny!! Thanks for the good mood!! More details below:

-Bass (1)
In addition to the awesome drumming, I like the bass very much, it is played extremely well. Tight and full of groove! The bass line follows the guitar very nicely.

-Guitar
The same applies to the guitar playing. Funky and solid! I like that bubbly effect, an envelope filter I guess? Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron??! Good!

-Bass (2)
Hey, did you apply that Q-Tron on bass too, from 2:13 onwards? Sounds excellent!!!

-Vocals
The singer is very good, but why I particularly like the vocal performance are the very nicely arranged harmonies. Thanks for that! They amplify the sun in this song!

Ending
Eh, I'm not sure about the last second of the song!! The whole song is so well performed but this ending sounds suddenly a slightly amateurish... Anyway, don't worry, it's the only minor detail I found here that could be improved.

Excellent job, more music like this please!

- O_K
London/U.K. Ylivieska/Finland, Finland

Artist Review of "Can't Stay Away"-(Seconds -2005)

-Interesting mix of styles
Pretty opening chords... nice groove. I like the drums, and the funky guitars in the verse. Your singer has the tone of Frank Zappa and the rhythm of Jason Mraz- I like the combination. Nice catchy rolling lyrics. Harmonies could be a little tighter at times during the verse. I like the chorus. Interesting change at 2:20... Cool original tune, thanks.

Reviewed by: proteusaustin from Austin, Texas

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Bold and upbeat
Excelent upbeat funky tune. I like the throw back guitar & bass feel. The vocals are well sung and give it a college rock vibe. There are some nice scratched and glitched elements that add a Hip_Hop vibe. The drums are very tight and complex in places. I like the synthy bass middle 8. All in all this band is unfraid to fuse elements of new & old. Interesting

- stevemorris
Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

It´s godda groooove from everywhere!
A curious combination of reggae- funk-, rock- and scratch-elements leaded from the voices harmonifull melody. Smooth and sweet for a warm summer evening. A funny Wah-bass in changes with distorted guitars at the much too early end...
...crazy funny likely grovy. Could have heard it for more than 2:53 !

- crashcannibals
Ahaus, Germany

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Druma, druma, druma,
Great groove, nice singing which is clear and easy to understand.
Drum set could have a better tone in the recording, its a little to dry when it comes to the snare, bass sounds great here. Lead vocals are recorded nice and I like the stlye of the singing, kind of reminds me of the Spin Doctors, which is good....

- crashmagnet
Bethel, Connecticut

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Drums are Poppin
It's funky for sure.Overall mix sounds a bit muddy but it is still funky and catchy.I like the guitar sound thats rippin also.Vocalist needs harmonies up just a bit IMO. It's fresh and different which is a big plus.And yet retro in spots.Unique song and I dig it alot!!

- DazeOfFreedom
Madisonville, Kentucky

Review for "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

-awsome drums
love your sound, kool guitar, bass is flying! good vocals! love your style! good recording too!
-Extra Credit: Beat.

- Bhodazaffa_band
Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Artist Review of "Philosophy" -(Seconds -2005)

Quite funky!
I don't know if that's a drum machine or what, but the drum sound is a bit "dead". The beat itself is cool, and I like the funky guitar and bass. This song has a nice feel to it.
Performance wise, everything is nice and tight. Can't find anything wrong there. The vocals are niec, and the harmoies are very well done.
This really is a cool tune. It wouldn't necessarily be my style of listening, but I like it regardless. Good work!

- Apollo_Creed
Dublin, Ireland

 "One drum line, and one bass!"
Reviewer: J.P.
Downbeat Switch opens all new doors into a sound that's funky, hard, chill, and angry all at the same time with their first CD "Funk Shui". The song styles jump around enough to make your head spin. Seemless transitions of crazy up-tempo rythms, funk guitar riffs chaotic, and awesome rock break-downs. If you like fusion bands and you like good music, check this one out. All 20 tracks were self-produced by the band which gives it the gritty feel of a real band breaking into an industry. If you liked their first CD alot, this ones worth checking out. No band in Richmond, (or Virginia for that matter) sounds like this.

Reviewer: DARIN
If you’re a person who likes any music genre or looking for a new “groove” downbeat switch is the stuff. A mix of Reggae, Funk-Rock Fusion. Thick, but smooth melodies interlaced with up-tempo beats, two-part vocal harmonies/alternating raps, melodic keys, D.J. scratching/sampling, and thick, slap happy bass licks. Funky, original sound, straight outta Richmond, VA. All of the songs are perfect and the music is absolutely stunning.

Reviewer: Willie
The last commment says it all. Everything Downbeat has put out has been awsome, and this CD did not disappoint. They get better and better everytime I see them play. Keep it up guys.

Reviewer: Emily A.
it had everything that i would expect from downbeat switch; original lyrics mixed with reggae, rock, and a little hip hop. DBS should be in a genre of its own! i'm not much of a music critic but i know what i like and i definately enjoyed this one. if you like 311 and Sublime, then Seconds is something you have to hear. all and all, i was very impressed with Seconds and the band in general.

Reviewer: J.P.
This album is absloutely great. If your lookin for a funky laid back style of music then this cd is a must. You won't regret this purchase...