Search - Michael Stanley :: Ground

Stanley's version of The Rising

Allan Whitlatch | Dallas, TX | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE GROUND is going to keep those familiar with Michael's work asking the long time question, "Why didn't he make it big outside of Cleveland?" This may be Michael's most serious and thought provoking release yet reminding me a lot of Springsteen's "The Rising." It kicks off with the title cut, a familiar MS beat and gritty vocals wrapped around lyrics assessing the "level orange" world we find ourselves in now, and offering some sense of hope based on personal responsibility. The 2nd cut, "Romeo Is Bleeding," may be the best song on the cd and certainly the most musically interesting. It's an unusual sound for MS, but one that is very comfortable sounding and keeps you humming along once you know it. The CD has two cover songs, "Bound To Be," a six minute opus packed with imagery (too much for my taste) but a great vocal performance. Will Sexton's "Ugly All Day" fares much better with Stanley's world-weary pacing perfectly matching the sentiment of the song. The big song that could be a hit if radio were real is "My Last Day On Earth." Anthemnic and rocking it packs that Midwest rock punch you get from early Mellencamp and should be a highlight for any live show. The cd goes 65 minutes, and for those of us who loved the way songs sometimes crossed over on vinyl, you get that effect on a couple of songs. There are lots of surprises here and the musicianship and background vocals are exceptional. Play it loud."

Another great Michael Stanley album!

T | 01/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those Michael Stanley and Bob Pelander fans who enjoy the slower ballads, track 4 "You Would, You Have, You Will," track 7 "Long Way Past Midnight" and track 9 "From a Train" are outstanding!"

You won't be disappointed

Kim | Ohio | 03/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm one of the long time fans that also can't understand how Michael Stanley didn't become a nationwide rock star. We love having him here in Cleveland though! Admittedly, I had not followed much MS music since college but I happened to catch a concert last summer. He played "My Last Day on Earth" and I couldn't wait for his new CD to come out so I could own the tune. When it was finally released I was so thrilled that his music still moves me. I'm hooked again and you will be too. Besides "..Last Day.." my favorites are "You Would, You Have, You Will", "Bound to Be", and "Romeo is Bleeding". Go ahead, order it. You'll love it."