Star-Gazer Rock

6 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Modern Rock, POP: Power Pop



Details:
Critical praise for Amateur Hour's debut EP, Hold On, Believe:

"... a hit!"
"The songs are easygoing and refined with lots of harmonies and upbeat melodies.â
- indiepages.com

"Perriello proves he has the talent, and more importantly the promise to make great generational music."
"... feel-good melodies, with charming lyrics, beautiful harmonies and catchy riffs."
"... deliciously seductive."
- The Breeze, James Madison University

"Beyond the term radio-friendly."
- smother.net


Amateur Hour is a new band featuring songs by Dan Perriello, a multi-instrumentalist and active contributor to the Washington, DC music scene. The group's acclaimed new EP, "Hold On, Believe," an independent release, is available for sale online and at the band's performances.

Eschewing trendy larger-than-life production, Dan and engineer/mixer Jeremy Koller acheived a warm, natural sound on "Hold On, Believe." Sonically, the EP has more in common with vintage soul records (see Al Green's Hi! albums) than the heavily-processed, over-hyped tracks in vogue in the pop market. The emphasis on substance over style is echoed in Amateur Hour's songs themselves: direct, heartfelt lyrics; subtly sophisticated arrangements. Melody and vibe are what matter here, not sonic trickery or self-concious production.

Amateur Hour marks a musical departure for Dan, who's been the drummer with DC band Bicycle Thieves since 2001, and also backs singer/songwriter Laura Burhenn. In addition to writing the six songs on "Hold On, Believe," he sings and plays guitars, bass, drums and percussion on each track. Fueled by a love for the timeless pop of Motown and Stax records and the gritty guitar-driven sound of Big Star and mid-period Beatles, Amateur Hour aims at the universality evident in the best pop music. Stressing simplicity and common experience, Amateur Hour songs range from joyous to pleading, from hopeful to sexy.