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Put your hands on the remote! browse music »Tiny Rooms by John Vecchiarelli
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fave it Folky Pop | Acoustic
8 tracks | 38 minutes
Released Jan 2002
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:47 To Sleep lyrics BUY MP3 02:47 To Sleep lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:47 To Sleep
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:42 Idiot Kids lyrics BUY MP3 03:42 Idiot Kids lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:42 Idiot Kids
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:59 My Own Design lyrics BUY MP3 03:59 My Own Design lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:59 My Own Design
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:21 Tiny Rooms lyrics BUY MP3 03:21 Tiny Rooms lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:21 Tiny Rooms
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:05 Skinned Knees lyrics BUY MP3 03:05 Skinned Knees lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:05 Skinned Knees
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:45 I Have No Idea lyrics BUY MP3 02:45 I Have No Idea lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:45 I Have No Idea
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:36 In Tow lyrics BUY MP3 04:36 In Tow lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:36 In Tow
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 14:24 See Us Wonder lyrics BUY MP3 14:24 See Us Wonder lyrics "GIFT MP3" 14:24 See Us Wonder
"...achingly pretty vocals and tuneful songs in a romantically downbeat, dressed-in-black kinda vein." -Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week
Editorial review
A singer/songwriter to the core, John Vecchiarelli is a cross between James Taylor and Nick Drake in terms of his style and vocal delivery. "To Sleep" starts off well but seems to lack at least one to two more verses, ending abruptly and seeming rather unfinished. The same abruptness is found in "Skinned Knees." However, it is also one of the best tracks. "Idiot Kids" is a bit more upbeat and features the first of several subtle piano touches. The track is also a good prototype of the album itself, a bit morose in its tone, but with enough hooks and twists to keep the listener attentive. One of the first aspects listeners will notice is the lack of a percussion on several tracks, an element that would add much to a few songs, especially "My Own Design." Coming across as an "unplugged" arrangement, a hi-hat or bass drum would certainly add a lot. Lyrically, the album is very strong, which carries a majority of the tunes, especially the narrative and personal title track. When songs are fully realized and developed, particularly "In Tow," the results are excellent. Underneath the surface, the songs resemble an acoustic Staind. Nowhere is this more evident than on "See Us Wonder," comparable to "It's Been Awhile." One definite downside is the amount of dead air on the album between the last and hidden tracks, closing in on an inane nine minutes. ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
-JOHN VECCHIARELLI spent many years as the drummer, singer, and collaborator on projects ranging from punk rock to jazz and everything in between. His affinity for songwriting led him to the guitar and piano, and a solo artist was born. He gathered his songs, and recorded his first CD, "Tiny Rooms". In addition to playing many of the instruments himself, John recruited talented friends, Matt Greenberg (Charles Atlas), Devin Hoff (Nels Cline), Glenn Kotche (Wilco), and engineer Todd Ayers, to produce songs supported by subtle dynamics, and startling beauty. "Tiny Rooms" is a very special debut recording, from a very special artist...take a listen and judge for yourself.
*Album and individual song downloads also available on iTunes, and other online download sites (see Links).
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Here's what the press has to say about John's music:
"Transplanted from New york to Denver to San Francisco to Portland, John Vecchiarelli is a troubadour of the one-man-and-his-guitar variety. But his somber songs sound more like Trent Reznor doing his best Billy Bragg impression; that is, Vecchiarelli shares the smoldering intensity of Reznors ballads, and strums his electric and acoustic (usually alternating between the two) guitars with the tense righteousness of a younger Bragg. With his clever use of guitar effects and ominous chord changes, Vecchiarelli's songs are simultaneously dark and brooding, while exuding charm and humor. The songwriter's self released debut cd, "tiny rooms", employs a full band of pianos, drums, bass and organs on several tracks, which further flesh out his beautiful songs. However, Vecchiarelli's music is best experienced live, where the singer/guitarists emotional impact hits hardest."
-------------------------Dave Clifford, Willamette Week
"Deep within the mind you'll find Tiny Rooms. John Vecchiarelli, with his first swing at a solo venture, creates a collection of songs whose simplicity tempts the ear and soothes the soul. It's comforting to know that songs like these are still being written. Simple and dynamic, with a handful of help from friends, John Vecchiarelli and his guitar paint soft landscapes of dark nights and overcast days.
"Idiot Kids" heavy swaying pace lulls you down rivers and through streams. The real proof of Vecchiarelli's singing ability comes through on "My Own Design" and the title track "Tiny Rooms", where his voice effortlessly curves around space in a secondhand reaction. Glenn Kotche, Matt Greenberg, Todd Ayers, and Devin Hoff help brighten the highlights and darken the shadows on this folk masterpiece."
----------------Rob Heater, Editor in chief, Sponic Zine
"John Vecchiarelli has been kicking around Portland for a while now, though you don't hear all that much about him. He's a great songwriter, though, with beautiful lyrics and interesting, folky melodies. His vocal delivery is one of the thousands that graduated from the School of Nick Drake, but damn, I mean, Nick Drake was pretty frickin' awesome. Know what I'm saying?"
----------------Justin Wescoat Sanders, Portland Mercury
"...John Vecchiarelli's got vocal chops to rival '70's smoothies like, say, James Taylor, but with a darker demeanor and a closet Beatles jones. His debut disc, Tiny Rooms, is extremely affecting in its humble way, and word of his live performance is glowing."
-----------------------Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week
"Tiny Rooms is an impeccably produced and mightily impressive debut, illustrating once more that it's always the quiet "ex-members of" who come up and knock you on your ass."
-----------------Tim Scanlin, Editor, Snackcake Magazine
"A true original, drummer turned singer/guitarist whose eliptical songs seeem obscure and revelatory at exactly the same time... intensely personal."
----------------------Michael Roberts, Westword Magazine
"Tiny Rooms...is a beautiful, lonely record. Vecchiarelli has a great voice... and a good sense for sparse arrangements and minor chords."
---------------Beth Lisick, Special Contributor, SF Gate
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