MP3 Frank Tribes - ROCK: Classic Rock

pop rock, classic sound by a unique songwriter

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Classic Rock, POP: Beatles-pop



Details:
Frank Tribes is a songwriter/performer based in Chicago. For several years prior to going solo in 2001, he was a member of the well established and eclectic Garden Bower, a band that regularly performed in Chicago and steadily released their music. In 2002 he released his debut self-titled album, followed by his well- received 2nd album, âBy All Means,â released in 2004. (both available at CDbaby.com)
âGalleryâ is his newest recording. The creation of this album began when Frank started demoing new songs heâd been working on. Knowing another album was in the works, some friends and other musicians suggested that he work with Ellis Clark (Epicycle, Kevin Tihista, Le Concorde.) Sharing very similar influences, along with a love for songwriting, the two hit it off immediately and began working steadily on an album.
Along with engineering, Ellis would add backup vocals, piano, keyboards and his production skills. Frank in turn pushed both his vocals and guitar playing to new heights. Each song, arrangement and production in general benefited. The first five completed songs became a promo release called, âBlade E.P.â Steady work over the next year brought forth the completion of the full-length album, âGallery.â
The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Syd Barrett, Echo & the Bunnymen, the Kinks and early BeeGees. Elements of such artists are borrowed, yet the songs make their own statement. Well crafted music, strong melodies and insightful lyrics come together in a unique way. Many lovers of rock music will want to have this album among their collection.
REVIEWS FOR THIS DEBUT ALBUM BY FRANK TRIBES:

fakejazz.com
Frank Tribes writes good songs. They're melodic, fun to listen to...
Frank Tribes used to play with Chicago's Garden Bower before striking it out on his own with this finely crafted album. Coming off as a classic singer/songwriter, Tribes sounds like a more subdued Jim O'Rourke (or at least more subdued than O'Rourke sounded on the vitriolic Insignificance). The album's opener, "Daydream," starts things off with a (relative) bang...a very catchy song. The next song, "We'll Be Fine," sounds a little like an Elliott Smith-type acoustic ballad, with some pump organ to counterpoint the guitars.

The rest of the album seems to oscillate between these two poles. Tribes plaintive voice is the perfect complement to the almost melancholy music. This is a strong debut for a talented songwriter, and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with next.

AltarNative.com
"Sometimes I want nothing more than to be compared to my idols. Sometimes I want to feel I'm putting my own spin on rock music,â says Frank Tribes, who manages to do quite well at both on his eponymous debut. Tribes music finds a comfortable home somewhere between when FM radio boasted rock as pop and the hidden resurgence of the same that simmers somewhere below the surface of public consciousness in the new millennium.

Never complicated, lyrically or musically, yet so right in the finest detail, Tribesâ music manages to effect oneâs emotions directly, going straight for the gut, without tired radio clichés, over-used pop conventions, or sugar-saturated melodies. Still, this is music that sinks in from the first listen. âWeâll Be Fine,â (click here for MP3) with its gentle strum of acoustic guitar and soft background of accordion, is a perfect example of Tribes getting everything just perfect. âNow my record playerâs packed away, and all the albums that we played, are sitting on my shelf collecting dust,â he notes dryly, letting the music carry the weight of the words --- simply wonderful...
The Beach Boys crafted perfect songs for the summertime, and Tribes seems to also let his music inhabit a season, though in his case it is definitely autumn. Never completely dark and gloomy, but filled with a sense of something lost, Tribes sings with a believable voice about love lost and general trepidation...
For now, however, he is doing just fine, with a debut packed with bittersweet lyrical sentiments and music that exceeds expectations most would have from a relative newcomer.

Blah3.com
Frank Tribes makes interesting music, free from the demands of the marketplace and chock-full of references to American rock over the past 30 years. Kicking off with the raucous 'Daydream', Tribes delivers song after well-written song on his solo debut. 'You Say' brings to mind 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' by the Beatles, but once Tribes opens his mouth to sing, you realize that the key and tempo are all the two songs have in common.

'Since The Beginning' is a minor-key tune that reveals Tribes' gift for meloday and emotion in a no-frills setting. These are songs that would hold up whether played by Tribes' band or on acoustic guitar. There is precious little studio trickery going on here - every song sounds as though it was recorded live, with the human feel completely intact. And Tribes is not afriad to change up the 'band' concept at will, going from a nice rootsy roar to solemn quiet as the mood warrants.

Tribe's bell-clear voice serves every song well, although double-tracking sometimes flattens the performance a bit. But the double-tracking isn't a deal-breaker by any means - it's used sparingly, and as far as vocals go it's the exception, not the rule. On songs like the pensive 'Sunday Nights', a precise two-part harmony replaces the double-tracking to nice effect. And on 'Feels The Same' Tribes shows the ability to change up his verses from major to minor keys, which shifts the focus just enough to keep the listener hooked...A dozen songs, written and performed extremely well - that's a commodity that was getting scarce for a few years there, but Frank Tribes and his band have gone a long way toward bringing it back...