NeuFutur Magazine DownTown Mystic Feature

We here at NeuFutur had a chance to familiarize ourselves with DownTown Mystic, a New Jersey act that has just released a new album, “Standing Still”. This 2010 effort, on band member Robert Allen’s own Sha-La Music, contains 13 tracks of pure rock music. “Standing Still” is a step forward from a band that has already shown that they can deliver on disc, as evidenced by their 2007 work “Read The Signs”. Where the tracks on “Standing Still” stand on their own, listeners that are familiar with the days of album-oriented rock will find something delightful when they take the album as a distinct entity. Sure, some tracks (the titular effort and “Backdoor”) may have an easier time making it onto radio, but tracks like “Shade of White Bluegrass” truly extend and expand upon the style of what is a very eclectic band.

Despite keeping much of the same lineup between “Read The Signs” and “Standing Still”, DownTown Mystic brings a considerably different sound to bear between the two. While “Read The Signs” seems to be more focused and rock-based, I feel that “Standing Still” flies against its title and showcases a band that really wants to go out there and try their hand at anything that tickles their fancy. Where such experimental albums would be ruinous for lesser-talented collections of musicians, the veteran base of DownTown Mystic ensures that they can step up to the plate whenever they need.

The production of both albums is interesting in that it does not red-line each constituent element of the band. A great number of acts, both rock and metal, seem to equate ear-ripping amounts of noise with talent, and as such, turn up everything to 10. DownTown Mystic allows listeners to decide on their own how good each track is, by putting forth a clear representation of bass, drums, guitars, vocals, and whatever other instruments make it into the mix. By adhering to an older style of production, DownTown Mystic are able to create an album that will be much more timeless than any of the major label efforts released at the same time. Listeners might prefer different styles of music than that of DownTown Mystic, but I feel that anyone that gives “Read The Signs” or “Standing Still” a serious listen will be able to appreciate the band’s work.

For those individuals that would like to check out what DownTown Mystic is about, give their Myspace a spin at www.myspace.com/downtownmystic With over 21,000 fans currently friends of the act, DownTown Mystic is poised to have tremendous turnouts at any venue that they may step into. Where the act had previously preferred to make perfect pieces of platter, the band’s fans should push for this tour. Those that want to pick up “Read The Signs” and “Standing Still” can purchase copies of those album at DownTown Mystic’s CDBaby – www.cdbaby.com/cd/DownTownMystic1 . For those that want to see the label side of things, Sha-La Music, Inc. can be located at www.shala.com .

...Posted by James on June 9th, 2010/NeuFutur Magazine

NeuFutur Magazine Music Review

DownTown Mystic – Standing Still (CD)

Fresh off their 2007 effort, “Read The Signs”, DownTown Mystic have just cut their latest album, “Standing Still”. “Standing Still” represents an evolutionary step forward for the act, while still maintaining cohesion amongst the disc’s thirteen cuts. “Backdoor” starts out with a bit of blues-tinged rock that allows Robert’s vocals to approach the timbre and quality of a Warren Zevon or Jimmy Buffett. Despite having a sound that would easily work on classic rock stations, there is a vibrancy and technical brilliance to the track that will appease even those musicphiles.

“Believe” has a much slower lead-in than the up-front and in your face “Backdoor”, but the track keeps a bubbling exuberance barely kept in check. The track seems to rest on a different set of influences than the disc’s opening, with hints of Tom Petty or John Fogerty present. “Standing Still”, the disc’s titular track, tips the scales at 4:38. Where there seems to be a blending of the styles broached during both “Backdoor” and “Believe”, the most interesting aspect of the track has to be the challenging time signature present. One needs to listen to the quiet spaces on the track to fully understand what DownTown Mystic is attempting to do. Beyond that, the stair-step vocals that lead to the sizzling, affecting guitar solo turn “Standing Still” into the disc’s best track.

“Too Many Times” speeds things back up, while shifting the set of DownTown Mystic’s influences to reflect their love of sixties and seventies rock, be it CCR or the Moody Blues. There is a certain timelessness present on each of the album tracks on “Standing Still”, and nowhere is this better seen during “Shade of White Bluegrass”. The disc’s ultimate track, “Shade of White Bluegrass” has a sound that one may expect – a countrified, bluegrassy version of the rock that has been presented fans through the entirety of “Standing Still”. Cutting things short at the two and a half minute mark, DownTown Mystic put an emphatic exclamation point on what is a cogent and always strong album. There is a fullness present to the album that imbues the same warmth that seeing the act in a packed coffee house or bar would; each of the members here brings something that is then converted into something bigger and better.

Top Tracks: Standing Still, Shade of White Bluegrass

Rating: 8.3/10

DownTown Mystic – Standing Still / 2010 Sha-La Music, Inc. / 13 Tracks /

...Posted by James on May 18th, 2010/NeuFutur Magazine

Spotlight: DownTown Mystic

The Top 22 Editor | Jun 24, 2010 |

New Jersey roots-rockers DownTown Mystic got an early break from Jed the Fish on KROQ, and on the 3rd album Standing Still, they stay true to the sound of vintage guitars recorded on analog gear…

Robert Allen and Bruce Engler of DownTown Mystic

You never know who’s gonna give you that break, or that nod of encouragement.

In the case of Robert Allen, it was, of all people, Jed the Fish who played a track as his “Catch of the Day.” Rodney on the Roq followed with more airplay.

It was at that stage that Robert decided to take his project, DownTown Mystic, in a more serious direction — ultimately working with Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent of the E Street Band, and Steve Holley of Wings, among others.The third album, Standing Still, stays true to the roots of rock and roll, using vintage guitars recorded on analog gear.

Musically, there are nods to The Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Poco, as well as The Beatles and The Stones. The roots rock sound comes through on our Song of the Week, Better Days.

The track is available on A Taste of Triple A #63, and you can learn more about the band on their MySpace Page.

Filed Under: Featured • Music • Spotlight

ROOTSHIGHWAY REVIEW / Italy

DownTown Mysic
Standing Still
[Sha-La Records 2010]

A Bar band at heart, DownTown Mystic are a nice breath of fresh air, although you will not find a single solo riff or a single melody of the entire Standing Still that sounds vaguely familiar. It is not a provocation of mine, but the certainty that sometimes you just have very little to base an album of good songs, with few pretensions to originality perhaps but with experience and a taste not at all negligible. With Robert Allen and DownTown Mystic we are in the field of best crafted rock'n'roll, that each time you feel you shoot a smile and the certainty that the party will go on and on, even if nobody remembers anything. Here pulls air of New Jersey, the birthplace of the band (and already you should prick up your ears), the proof is that for the previous work (in particular the debut Rock’n’Roll 4 The Soul of 2006) even involved Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg of the E-Street Band. Today, Allen gave more stability to the group, initially as a solo project and gradually to collaborating with Bruce Engler, Lance Doss and especially drummer Steve Holley (already at the Court of Paul McCartney & Wings).

The concept of Standing Still is really very simple: a handful of arrangements from the rock'n'roll of Chuck Berry (the attack of “Modern Ways” is a cool plagiarism, but it works) passing through Creedence, the Stones and the honky tonk bars of Texas (“Backdoor”, “Shade of White”), some sparkling pop song that recalls the late 70s English wave (by Nick Lowe to Dave Edmunds, the school is one you can recognize in “Too Many Times” and “History” for example) and finally the usual ballads with an eye to American country (the mandolin and the roots sound of “Believe” and “Shade of White Bluegrass”). You will understand that the new and the future does not pass here, but if you enjoy vintage guitars played with taste, quality songwriting and an atmosphere that captures the best live performance of the group, then DownTown Mystic will provide three-quarters of an hour of lovely memories, capable of that job that only someone who comes from the rank and file is able to offer.

Robert Allen in this sense seems to be clear: with the rhythm section consisting of Holley and Paul Page has guaranteed that sparkling beat for the content of DownTown Mystic, while interventions of Lance Doss (also lap steel and banjo) offer traditional American flavors that could also draw the attention of a different audience. If I were however, to define the imagination of Standing Still, I would return again to disturbing that season of the so-called PubRock, which by combining melody and roots, Buddy Holly, the Beatles and Rolling Stones managed to reach agreement over generations. Downtown Mystic might also act as a surrogate, but they have fun and entertain with solid songs. Davide Albini/RootsHighway June 7, 2010

This is the Italian Review as it appears in RootsHighway 06/07/2010

DownTown Mysic
Standing Still
[Sha-La Records 2010]

Bar band nel cuore e nell'anima, i DownTown Mystic sono una bella boccata d'aria fresca, anche se non troverete un solo riff o una sola melodia dell'intero Standing Still che non suoni vagamente già sentita. Non è una provocazione la mia, ma la certezza che a volte basta davvero poco per imbastire un album di buone canzoni, con poche pretese di originalità magari ma con un'esperienza e un gusto niente affatto disprezzabili. Con Robert Allen e i suoi DownTown Mystic siamo nel campo del migliore artigianato rock'n'roll, quello che ogni volta che lo senti ti scatta un sorriso sulle labbra e la certezza che il party andrà avanti all'infinito, anche quando di loro non si ricorderà praticamente più nessuno. Qui tira aria di New Jersey, luogo di nascita della band (e già dovreste drizzare le orecchie), prova ne sia che per i lavori precedenti (in particolare per l'esordio "Rock'n'roll 4 the Soul" del 2006) furono coinvolti persino Gary Tallent e Max Weinberg della E-Strett Band. Oggi Allen ha dato più stabilità al gruppo, partito inzialmente come progetto solista e allargatosi via via alle collaborazioni di Bruce Engler, Lance Doss e soprattutto del batterista Steve Holley (già alla corte di Paul McCartney & the Wings).

Il concetto alla base dei Standing Still è veramente molto semplice: una manciata di accordi che dal rock'n'roll di Chuck Berry (l'attacco di Modern Ways è un plagio bello e buono, eppure funziona) passano per i Creedence, gli Stones e gli honky tonk bar del Texas (Backdoor, Shade of White), qualche frizzante pop song che ricorda l'onda inglese di fine settanta (da Nick Lowe a Dave Edmunds, la scuola è quella e la si può riconoscere in Too Many Times e History ad esempio) e infine le solite ballate con lo sguardo rivolto all'America country (il mandolino e il suono roots di Believe e Shade of White Bluegrass). Si sarà capito che la novità e il futuro non passano da queste parti, ma se vi divertono le chitarre suonate con gusto vintage, un songwriting di qualità e un'atmosfera live che cattura al meglio l'esecuzione del gruppo, allora i DownTown Mystic sapranno regalarvi tre quarti d'ora di adorabili ricordi, capaci come sono di quel mestiere che solo chi viene dalla gavetta e dai bassifondi è in grado di offrire.

Robert Allen in questo senso sembra avere le idee chiare: con la sezione ritmica formata da Holley e Paul Page si è garantito quel beat spumeggiante per un proposta del tenore dei DownTown Mystic, mentre gli interventi di Lance Doss (anche lap steel e banjo) ci offrono quei tipici profumi Americana che potrebbero anche attirare le attenzioni di un pubblico diverso. Se dovessi però definire l'immaginario di Standing Still tornerei ancora una volta a scomodare quella stagione del cosiddetto pub rock, il quale unendo melodia e radici, Buddy Holly, Beatles e Rolling Stones riuscì a mettere d'accordo più generazioni. I Downtown Mystic magari saranno anche un surrogato, ma sanno divertirsi e intrattenere con solide canzoni.
(Davide Albini) http://www.rootshighway.it/outsiders/downtown.htm

ROOTSTIME REVIEW / Belgium / DOWNTOWN MYSTIC – STANDING STILL

Robert Allen and Bruce Engler are two veterans in the music world. From Hillsdale, New Jersey-based Robert Allen conceived Downtown Mystic as a solo project that would become a band. The first CD of the group released on Robert Allen's own record label Sha-La Music was "Rock'n'Roll 4 The Soul" followed by "Read the Signs". Downtown Mystic’s music is inspired by the music of the '60s and rock'n'roll from the seventies. Vintage influences in a contemporary modern rock form. For recording the debut album they succeeded in essential musical support from a few old friends. Not the least of which were bassist Garry Tallent and drummer Max Weinberg, both long-term, prominent members and the famous rhythm section of Bruce Springsteen's' E Street Band. Their third album has just come onto the market under the title "Standing Still" which they called on Paul McCartney & Wings drummer Steve Holley. In terms of song style Downtown Mystic's stays close to the traditional sound of bands like Poco, Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds where the guitars swing nicely. To match that traditional sound on this album, they also recorded in analog and digitally to better preserve the live sound. The driving rock and roll used for most songs on "Standing Still" is sometimes reminiscent of the music of John Fogerty and his Creedence Clearwater Revival. We hear that especially in "Back Door", "Better Day" and "Shade of White". Other times, they are more indebted to Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds at the time of their historical band Rockpile. This is the case in songs like ”Sometimes Wrong", "Too Many Times" and "History". For a moment they even tend to the pioneers of rock'n'roll, "Modern Ways" is very close to what we refer to as knockoff of a song by Chuck Berry or Buddy Holly imitation, then returning to "Rise & Fall", a song on the album to listen to in two versions. The country influences of bands like Wilco and Jayhawks are heard back in title track "Standing Still", "Believe" and the mandolin sounds dominated by country & bluegrass song "Shade Of White Bluegrass". With Downtown Mystic this band will certainly not be in the innovative corner but a fine hour of nostalgic music in widely appreciated genres that we have long known of the aforementioned predecessors. A nice piece of complex free entertainment and cooking up fun is the logical consequence.

(valsam) June 21, 2010
www.rootstime.be

ROOTSTIME REVIEW / Belgium / DOWNTOWN MYSTIC – STANDING STILL

Robert Allen en Bruce Engler zijn twee grijzende anciens in de muziekwereld. De uit Hillsdale, New Jersey afkomstige Robert Allen stond aan de wieg bij de geboorte van de formatie ‘Downtown Mystic’ dat toen nog als een soloproject werd opgevat.

De eerste cd van de groep die op Robert Allen’s eigen platenlabel ‘Sha-La Music’ werd uitgebracht was “Rock’n’Roll 4 The Soul”, gevolgd door “Read the Signs”. Muzikaal laat ‘Downtown Mystic’ zich inspireren door de popmuziek uit de jaren ’60 en de rock’n’roll uit de seventies. Die invloeden overgieten ze met een pikant rocksausje in een hedendaagse, modernere vorm.

Voor de opnamen van het debuutalbum slaagden ze er in om enkele oude vrienden te laten opdraven voor de onontbeerlijke muzikale ondersteuning. Niet van de minste vrienden echter want het ging hier dus wel om bassist Garry Tallent en drummer Max Weinberg, beiden langjarige, prominente leden en de beroemde ritmesectie van Bruce Springsteen’s ‘E-Street Band’.

Hun derde cd is net op de markt gekomen onder de titel “Standing Still” waarvoor ze een beroep deden op Paul McCartney’s & Wings-drummer Steve Holley. Qua songstijl leunen de heren van ‘Downtown Mystic’ vrij nauw aan bij de sound van traditionele bands als Poco, Buffalo Springfield en The Byrds waarin de gitaren lekker swingen. Om dat typische geluid te kunnen evenaren hebben ze dit album trouwens analoog en niet digitaal opgenomen waardoor die live sound beter behouden blijft.

De stuwende rock and roll die voor de meeste songs op “Standing Still” werd gehanteerd doet soms denken aan de muziek van John Fogerty en zijn ‘Creedence Clearwater Revival’. Dat horen we vooral in “Backdoor”, “Better Day” en “Shade Of White”. Een andere keer zijn ze wat meer schatplichtig aan Nick Lowe en Dave Edmunds ten tijde van hun historische band ‘Rockpile’. Dat is bijvoorbeeld het geval in songs als “Sometimes Wrong”, “Too Many Times” en “History”.

Heel even neigen ze zelfs naar de pioniers van de rock’n’roll, “Modern Ways” is heel dicht bij wat men plagiaat pleegt te noemen van een song van Chuck Berry of imiteren ze Buddy Holly die terugkeert in “Rise & Fall”, een song die op dit album in twee versies te beluisteren valt. De countryinvloeden van bands als Jayhawks of Wilco horen we dan weer terug in titeltrack “Standing Still”, “Believe” of het door mandolineklanken overheerste country & bluegrassnummer “Shade Of White Bluegrass”.

Met ‘Downtown Mystic’ wil deze band dus zeker niet vernieuwend uit de hoek komen maar vooral een uurtje fijne nostalgische muziek brengen in breed geapprecieerde genres die we sinds lange tijd kennen van de hierboven vermelde voorgangers. Een leuk staaltje complexloos entertainment en bakken fun is het logische gevolg daarvan.

(valsam / www.rootstime.be / June 21, 2010)

DownTown Mystic Interview/NeuFutur Magazine

Q:What’s your story? How’d you fall into music?

My mom bought me a guitar with lessons for my birthday when The Beatles hit and I’ve been playing ever since. I started writing songs about a year later. I fell into music from the earliest time I can remember. I’ve been into music since birth. LOL

Q:Who are you listening to right now?

DownTown Mystic…seriously. When I’m working on a project it totally consumes me and I don’t really listen to anything else. About 4 months before I went into the studio I listened to nothing but The Beatles. The new Beatle remasters came out and I got a bunch of them and started listening and couldn’t stop. I was rediscovering The Beatles all over again and it was great!

Q:What things – music, art, or other cultural factors – do you think will be big in the next year?

I have no idea. For me it’s always about music but I think music has been severely devalued in recent years. I decided about 5 years ago to stop paying attention to the charts and who’s hot and who’s not and I’m much happier for it! One of the reasons my new cd is called “Standing Still” is because that’s what I’m doing…by standing still I’m being discovered as something new and different because I choose not to follow the fads of the day.

Q:What are you looking to accomplish when you create music, and how does the music relate to the artistic side of things?

When I first get an idea that grabs me, I have to get it out and bring it into some form so I can continue to work and develop it. Artistically, I try to write something that has emotion and meaning to me. Usually I’m already hearing the arrangement and/or production of the recording in my head and that drives me into the studio. In some cases I’m trying to put down the definitive version of a song that has eluded me for 20 years.

Q:What differences have you noticed in the shift of DownTown Mystic from being primarily a single-person led act to a “meeting of the minds” between yourself and Bruce?

When I first took the name of DownTown Mystic, I wanted a name that represented who I was, and at the same time could also work as a group name. “DownTown” has a rock feel to it and “Mystic” refers to myself as a Numerologist as well as my interest and knowledge in Astrology, Tarot, I Ching, etc.

Shifting from myself to bringing Bruce in made it a bit easier for me because I didn’t have the burden of writing all the material. I’d worked with Bruce before so I was familiar with his style, which worked well with mine. With the new cd, “Standing Still”, I’m back to being the solo DownTown Mystic again and having fun with it.

Q:Are drugs/alcohol/recreational drugs good or bad for the creative process or is are the presence of those things just something based out of real life?

Talk about a “curve ball”! Where did this question come from? I hope they legalize marijuana sooner than later. It’s far better than smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol. I think it can help with the creative process because it allows you to put aside the stress and general bombardment of the senses that modern everyday life puts on a person. As in all things, the key is moderation.

Q:How have you gotten more of your fans – Myspace or traditional word of mouth? Have you noticed anything different between these types of fans?

Definitely more fans via the Internet. I haven’t toured or played out a lot as DownTown Mystic, so I’m primarily a recording artist and I’m really only known in certain music industry circles and not by the general public. So having MySpace and some other sites has really helped me to get my music out to people who would not otherwise have heard of me. Plus they send me emails and tell me what songs they like and how my music has affected them…which is both flattering and inspiring to me.

Q: How did “Read The Signs” and your upcoming title expand upon the initial work of DownTown Mystic, and what is there left for the band creatively after the latest album is released?

I think “Read The Signs” showed a bit more depth in songwriting ability and was more of a group effort than the 1^st cd, “Rock’n’Roll 4 The Soul”. The new cd, “Standing Still” centers more around my musical roots in Rock’n’Roll and is probably the most cohesive of the 3 cds to date.

What’s left creatively? Well, there were a couple of tracks that I chose to leave off of “Standing Still” because I didn’t feel they fit as well. Honestly, I think they rock a bit harder and point the way for the next cd.

Q:Who else in the music scene have you met and who is out there right now that you would like to collaborate with?

You know I’ve always been a “mainstream” kind of listener and writer. So my tastes & styles run with people like Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow. I think I could bring something interesting to the table with either artist. There are younger artists out there who I could easily work with but it’s not something I think about doing because my focus is on my own project right now.

Q:How should people find your music? Are there any other releases coming out that they should look into buying?

The best way to find my music is to go to my main website which is www.shala.com. That has all the info and links to everything DownTown Mystic is doing. You can find my cds on Amazon.com and CD Baby…go there and buy them! LOL

Q:What else should we know ?

DownTown Mystic will have a few things going on with the release of “Standing Still”. The 1^st single, “Backdoor” will go to AAA & Americana Radio formats on 4/30, the day before the full cd is released. DownTown Mystic will be sponsoring the Alt/Country channel on Radioio for the month of May. Radioio is one of the leading radio stations on the internet at: http://www.radioio.com and it’s free to listen to, so check it out because DownTown Mystic will be featured every hour on the Alt/Country channel there. Check out your local AAA or Americana radio station and ask for DownTown Mystic as we’ll be promoting the new cd there. You can also hear all of our songs on DownTown Mystic Radio brought to you by Radiolicious, one of the leading mobile apps for smartphones. You can also find DownTown Mystic Radio at www.shala.com.

...Posted by James on April 24th, 2010/NeuFutur Magazine