Maximilian Eubank

Crisp compilation of feel good tracks with mellow acoustic guitar and a soothing lyrical presence. Of the songs on the CD, Pick of the Litter, Lawman Says Amen, Brother Man and Concrete are the cream of this musical crop. - efolkMusic.org

Des Moines singer/songwriter Maximilian Eubank's "10:00 in the Afternoon" is a stellar acoustic gem that, while reminiscent of many of the well-known national acts of this particular category, has a brilliance all of its own.
Borrowing from the influence of many different musical genres, it's hard to categorize just what it is that makes it tick. Some songs have more of a bluesy folk feel, some are a soulful indie alt-rock flavor, while others are simply acoustic rock at its finest.
Eubank sings his original, deep, and sometimes quirky lyrics with a profound conviction and a vocal clarity that sweeps you up and forces you to listen to what he is actually saying. There are no empty lyrics here; everything has a meaning and a purpose, like poetry set to music. Several of the songs come at you with an effortless rapid-fire storytelling that leaves you practically breathless, while some are pure earnest enthusiasm set to catchy melodies and smooth acoustic riffs. Eubank doesn't stick to the traditional and sometimes clichéd topics that have become commonplace in this genre; instead, he strays from the safe and tackles a wider range of subject matter that makes you think and might possibly even startle you. Eubank's vocals shine so clearly that it would almost be tragic to add in any more accompanying instrumentation - his voice and his guitar are a perfect match, and they need nothing else.
"10:00 in the Afternoon" is clearly just a snapshot of the talent that created it, and is a must-listen for any true music lover.
For more information and upcoming shows, visit www.myspace.com/maximilianeubank. - desmoinesmc.com

When Maximilian Eubank crosses the stage of the Drake University Law School commencement ceremony next spring and has a law degree placed in his hand, he might just have a guitar in the other.

"I've made my choice. I am not going to be a lawyer. That is just not me," Eubank said. "I am trying to ride the music thing as hard as I can while I am here."

When Eubank takes the stage to play, he is a solo act, precisely picking and stroking the strings on his acoustic Taylor guitar. Playing solo ensures that the audience hears every delicious lick, slide, pull off and hammer. The song "Lawman Says Amen," for example, showcases his mastery of guitar picking and power chords before settling into a jazzy groove.

His vocals are laced with emotion and are delivered with the same meticulous care. His autobiographical lyrics touch on the range of emotion.

"When I write a song, it is kind of like creating a musical diary," Eubank said. "Sometimes I don't want to show it to people, because it's a piece of me."

For example, "Pick of the Litter," is a "lashing out song" at those who doubted him and his desire to take music seriously. Musically, it is fascinating, using rap-style lyrics backed only by his strumming. It's hip-hop unplugged.

By contrast, "More to Life than Roses" shows a more tender side of him. It is a soft, contemplative ballad with intricate fingering, reminiscent of Jimmy Page.

"That song is about looking for love ... and once you find it, running away because you don't understand it," Eubank said.

Eubank listens to a broad range of music from Led Zeppelin to Mos Def and from Black Sabbath to Al Green. In particular, he cites the influence of Jack Johnson, Martin Sexton and Jason Mraz.

Eubank has been playing guitar more than a dozen years. While majoring in business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, he began to play solo gigs. Three years ago he began performing steadily while going to law school. He released his first CD, "10:00 in the afternoon," this year. After graduation, he says further business education is a possibility.

"You would think it would be easy to pick [music or a corporate career]," he said. "I would love to play music the rest of my life, but it depends on other factors than my wants and desires."

When Eubank receives his juris doctorate, he will have two higher-education degrees that would pull him in starkly different directions from music. Choosing which road to take can't be an easy one. But his fans know which one they want him to take. - Des Moines Register Datebook

10:00 in the Afternoon is a poetic twist of words and grooves that captures the listener immediately but keeps the lyrical hijinx coming with each tune. Maximilian Eubank is an engaging writer with a sense of humor and a unique outlook on the world. Reminiscent of Howie Day or Jason Mraz, Eubank presents himself with just vocals and acoustic guitar. It works because he is a unique writer and offers variety with his vocal techniques and stylings. He can go from speech-singing to a falsetto in one note, and his voice easily handles everything from pop to rap to blues.

"Drooling" is a good twist on that age-old song topic of spotting a hot person across the room. It takes us from, "You been winking at me and I been winking at you" to "I can't separate myself from the sound of love." It's a tune that could easily be on everyone's summer soundtrack with some good sing-along acrobatics to it.

"Lawman Says Amen" is the more traditional fingerstyle acoustic groove that singer-songwriters are known for, but Eubank varies the rhythms and groove enough that it could almost be an instrumental. His melodic lines are excellent in both his chords and his words. Surprises are scattered throughout the record, like a whistle solo on "S'aint No Sunday Song" to catchy riffs like the intro and almost country-fied solo in "Pick Your Poison."

Somewhere along the line it became cute for folkie singer-songwriters to have a token rap song in their arsenal in an attempt to look varied and open to other styles of music. Many times it just sounds like a folk singer trying to sing fast and failing to be cool. On "Pick of the Litter," Eubank actually pulls it off; he raps the verses and launches into a singable chorus. The song takes a stand and declares that what Eubank has to say is relevant and deserves a listen. Indeed it does. - www.indie-music.com

Maximilian Eubank is not your average acoustic guitarist. His rhythmic strumming is accompanied by country/folkish vocals that sometimes suddenly bust out into tongue-twisting, strangely good raps. It’s like Tenacious D – with real substance behind the novelty. “Not Make Believe” is one of his more traditional acoustic tracks, soaked in his signature introspective lyrics. I highly recommend checking out some of his other stuff to see what he is fully capable of.
- URB Magazine