Shoot The Messenger
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
- Good vocal performance here. Fun vibe. Light and fluffy feel to the lyrics is enjoyable and accessible upon first listen.
- The song is fun and catchy. Lyrics have a good sense of humor.
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- Good vocal performance here. Fun vibe. Light and fluffy feel to the lyrics is enjoyable and accessible upon first listen.
- The song is fun and catchy. Lyrics have a good sense of humor.
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- Nice title! The melody has interesting movement....... I hear a little "Frank Sinatra" in this melody and vocal delivery! The concept is really strong and you support it wonderfully with this well-told story! - Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- Hi Rob, I DIG this song!!!!! Super fresh arrangement - I like the structure... Lyric is really hip in conveying these feelings. This is fresh, creative writing… AWESOME, fresh line..... very vivid imagery!!! I dig the hook .
- Your voice sounds excellent throughout, and I'm especially impressed by the way in which you sing dynamically, conjuring every nuance from your voice. Very effective.
- I like the title phrase and can hear radio potential here.
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- Cool music. Sounds like the Talking Heads. - Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- I am FLOORED by this song's lyrics. This is brilliant, very disquieting writing - much, much respect to this lyricist. This sounds more like a spoken word poem but has the soul of Muddy Waters. I dig the guitar - it is lilting, has an uplifting sound & mood which creates awesome contrast to the heavy lyric. The phrasing is awesome, I really love the CH!
- I thought the guitar work was, once again, excellent. Again, I felt your lyric was excellent -- beautifully crafted, a good story and lots of vivid visuals.
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
- Wow. Sounds like Jim Morrison here. Or maybe the Who. This is also a great hook lyric. Very accessible and good memorability.
- Cool Chorus!! I dig the melody and the lyrics - nice attitude & sarcasm! I respect the message you are delivering - bold & very "Dylan-esque"!!!
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
Overall Comments:
- Rob, you truly have created a sound that is your own. There is some great playing and high musicianship throughout these tracks, as well as tasty, well-placed harmonies. Overall, this is innovative work with various strong elements.
- First off, Rob, big congrats on bringing new topics into the rock realm. Its wonderful to hear music that does not tread the traditional song fodder territory. I like your grasp of lyrics and good use of lyrical hooks.
- Hi Rob, I really dig the political current of your music - you deliver very potent messages lyrically!! "A Noose Too Far" blows my mind lyrically - stunning story telling that is provocative showing strong views and depth of principal in the artist. THIS artist has a voice… You're doing GREAT work…
- I have enjoyed listening to the material. You have a good sense of humor and there is a light, fun feel here reminiscent of the Violent Femmes and other such bands for the early 80s. You are on the right track here - stay on the path of originality.
- A bit of "Kingston Trio, Frank Sinatra, Dylan" - super cool thing you have going on here.
- Taxi, The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
Both The Other Side Of Somehow & Bleeding Heart win Honorable Mentions (top ~10%) in The Billboard World Song Contest - Billboard Magazine
Both My So-Called Democracy & When I Rule The World win Honorable Mentions (top ~10%) in The Billboard Song Contest. - Billboard Magazine
Jack Douglas, producer for John Lennon, The Who, Aerosmith, Patti Smith, et. al.,
Had some definite feelings about Rob Frails’ music recently:
Overall Comments
• I am going to keep my eyes open and try to catch you some time in the city.
I really enjoyed your music. It is very unique and I had a good laugh.
What Did I Miss?
• Very inventive! Totally unique.
This Is Why Life Sucks
• You had me up a dancing a jig on that one.
- Jack Douglas personal email
7/2006 - Mountain Stage Newsong Contest
Reviews of Rob’s Song by Taxi
The Professional A&R Agency
Overall Comments:
- Rob, you truly have created a sound that is your own. There is some great playing and high musicianship throughout these tracks, as well as tasty, well-placed harmonies. Overall, this is innovative work with various strong elements.
- First off, Rob, big congrats on bringing new topics into the rock realm. Its wonderful to here music that does not tread the traditional song fodder territory. I like your grasp of lyrics and good use of lyrical hooks.
- Hi Rob, I really dig the political current of your music - you deliver very potent messages lyrically!! "A Noose Too Far" blows my mind lyrically - stunning story telling that is provocative showing strong views and depth of principal in the artist. THIS artist has a voice… You're doing GREAT work…
- I have enjoyed listening to the material. You have a good sense of humor and there is a light, fun feel here reminiscent of the Violent Femmes and other such bands for the early 80s. You are on the right track here - stay on the path of originality.
- A bit of "Kingston Trio, Frank Sinatra, Dylan" - super cool thing you have going on here.
Song Reviews:
(Note: go to www.broadjam.com/ShootTheMessenger for songs not posted on SonicBids)
• This Is Why Life Sux:
- Hi Rob, I DIG this song!!!!! Super fresh arrangement - I like the structure of the V's and Pre-CH. Lyric is really hip in conveying these feelings. There are some really strong lines and imagery painting this picture. This is fresh, creative writing…
"it happens every time, he starts the mating waltz, the love arrow flies but Cupid's aim is false" - AWESOME, fresh line..... very vivid imagery!!! I dig the hook - so honest in feelings and very universal I believe!!!! This lyric is cool. ...
I wish you all the best!!!.
- Your voice sounds excellent throughout, and I'm especially impressed by the way in which you sing dynamically, conjuring every nuance from your voice. Very effective.
- I like the title phrase and can hear radio potential here.
• Talkin’ A Noose Too Far Blues:
- I am FLOORED by this song's lyrics. This is brilliant, very disquieting writing - much, much respect to this lyricist. This sounds more like a spoken word poem but has the soul of Muddy Waters. I dig the guitar - it is lilting, has an uplifting sound & mood which creates awesome contrast to the heavy lyric. The phrasing is awesome, I really love the CH!
- I thought the guitar work was, once again, excellent. Again, I felt your lyric was excellent -- beautifully crafted, a good story and lots of vivid visuals.
• My So-Called Democracy:
- Wow. Sounds like Jim Morrison here. Or maybe the Who. This is also a great hook lyric. Very accessible and good memorability.
- Cool Chorus!! I dig the melody and the lyrics - nice attitude & sarcasm! I respect the message you are delivering - bold & very "Dylan-esque"!!!
• Alive (My Iraqi War Diary, pt 1):
- Cool music. Sounds like the Talking Heads.
- Nice vocal tone. Thoughtful lyrics.
• On & Off:
- Good vocal performance here. Fun vibe. Light and fluffy feel to the lyrics is enjoyable and accessible upon first listen.
- The song is fun and catchy. Lyrics have a good sense of humor.
• Your Morning Smile:
- Nice title! The melody has interesting movement....... I hear a little "Frank Sinatra" in this melody and vocal delivery! The concept is really strong and you support it wonderfully with this well-told story!
• The Other Side Of Somehow:
- Hi Rob -- this presentation was highlighted by excellent lyric craft and guitar work… Lyrically I felt it was very strong. excellent use of language, good story, good use of visuals.
• Bleeding Heart:
- I thought your lyric was strong and vivid, telling a great story -- don't think you'd convert any Republicans, but good try. Again, excellent guitar work. Nice, jazzy vocal arrangement.
- Taxi - The World's Leading Independent A&R Company
Hi Rob,
Congratulations. You have won Honorable Mention in the the Sept/Oct American Songwriter Amateur Lyric Contest for your song "The Royal We"! Great stuff.
Best Regards,
Doug Waterman
Editor
American Songwriter Magazine
- American Songwriter Magazine
"This Is Why Life Sux' STM Score 'Finalist' in The Great American Song Contest, Country Category, March, 2006 - The Great American Song Contest
'Your Morning Smile' lyrics were published in Shabdaguchha, an international journal of poetry, 1 year after 'Alive' lyrics were published in same. - Shabdaguchha
A&R Unlimited is an independent A&R consulting firm, which is geared towards helping independent musicians further their career in the music business. - A&R Unlimited
This Is Why Life Sucks, What Did I Miss?, and My So-Called Democracy.
Indie 104 ~ iRADIOLA.com was named ‘Best Internet Station of The Year 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the Annual New Music Awards, based on a popular vote and influence in the music industry.
Launched in 1998, and this earliest of streaming stations now boasts over 7.5 million steady listeners worldwide. iRADIO LA plays music by unsigned artists 24/7/365, and is also home to several syndicated shows that feature original music. - http://www.indie104.com
The lyrics to Robs' song, 'Aive (My Iraqi War Diary, Pt. 1),' are published in Shabdaguchha, an international journal of poetry, distributed in eight countries, with a circulation of over 500. - Shabdaguchha
Alan Roy Scott, co-founder of the Unisong International Song Contest,
sent me this email:
"Hey Rob,
I must tell you as a veteran 25 year songwriter myself, the highest compliment I can pay you is to say I wish I'd written it myself."
- Unisong
The lyrics to Robs' song, 'Aive (My Iraqi War Diary, Pt. 1),' are published in Shabdaguchha, an international journal of poetry, distributed in eight countries, with a circulation of over 500. - Shabdaguchha
Discography
9 song CD: The Other Side Of Somehow (Feb, 2011)
Photos
Bio
"Hey Rob, I must tell you .. as a veteran 25 year songwriter .. I wish I'd written it myself."
- Alan Roy Scott, co-founder of the Unisong International Song Contest,
on My So-Called Democracy, a 2007 Top 5 Winner (www.unisong.com/Winners11.aspx)
When Rob Frail lost a software gig in 2003, he listened more closely to the voices that were harmonizing in his head and wrote their songs. Think Bob Dylan meets David Byrne.
An audacious reference, but those who hear his music agree. Armed with a rhyming dictionary, and a fear of failure, he put fingers to keyboard and imagination into overdrive. He evolved into a “method songwriter,” with the ability to project himself into a situation and articulate the emotional results.
To date, 11 of his songs have won over 20 songwriting awards, including four Honorable Mentions in the Billboard World Song Contest, genre-hopping among Folk, Rock, Reggae and Country. Call it The Audacity Of Scope.
What his songs have in common are equal senses of humor and humanity; a commitment to groove; and complacency-challenging lyrics that engage the emotions and reward the intellect. His lyric-writing ethos is No Syllable Left Behind. His influences are Rock of all ages.
More important are Frails’ riveting personal depictions of universal human conditions, as articulated in songs about:
• an Iraqi mans’ 21 year plight to get the last laugh on Saddam Hussein (What Did I Miss?);
• the pervasive perversion of the media by its’ corporate pimps (My So-Called Democracy);
• the working classes’ disposability by the corporate kleptocracy, where justice is blind – to greed gone wild (The Other Side Of Somehow, a 2010 Billboard Song Contest winner).
And then there are his serious songs.
But most important are the reactions of those who hear Frails’ music. At this point in a bio, you’ve likely heard words like ‘unique,’ ‘authentic,’ and ‘eclectic.’ In keeping with Frails’ disdain for the trite, let’s call it
‘euthenticlectic’ (u-then-ti-klektik). Reviewers at Taxi, many of whom are Grammy winners or nominees, have said:
• Bold & very "Dylan-esque"!!! AWESOME - so universal!!!!
• I am FLOORED by this song's lyrics. This is brilliant writing - the soul of Muddy Waters.
• Blows my mind lyrically - stunning story telling.
• Cool music. Sounds like Talking Heads.
In particular, Jack Douglas, producer for John Lennon, The Who, Aerosmith, Patti Smith, et. al. had some definite feelings about Frails’ music when he reviewed it in July, 2010:
Overall Comments
• I am going to keep my eyes open and try to catch you some time in the city.
I really enjoyed your music. It is very unique and I had a good laugh.
What Did I Miss?
• Very inventive! Totally unique.
This Is Why Life Sucks
• You had me up dancing a jig on that one.
With longtime jam-mate, guitarist and vocalist Tom Connolly, and various rhythm sections, Frails’ band Shoot The Messenger has appeared regularly at top venues in New York City, including CBGBs, Arlenes’ Grocery, The Bowery Poetry Club, The Back Fence, and Shrine.
Festivals appearances include MEANYFest, NYC; Mid Point Music Festival, Cincinnati, OH; Singer/Songwriter Cape May, NJ. STM was selected to appear at the 2008 Black Potatoe Festival, NJ.
During performances, Frail is known for vocally harmonizing with his guitar lines, and quoting jazz artists like Wes Montgomery. Frail has a strong jazz streak, and takes lessons and inspiration from fusion guitar legend Larry Coryell, a big supporter of Frails’ own jazz-folk fusion efforts.
Shoot The Messengers’ first CD, The Other Side Of Somehow, was released in Feb, 2011. So order it from ShootTheMessenger@gmail.com, go listen at ShootTheMessengerMusic.com, and see Shoot The Messenger live to experience the band that defined euthenticlectic.
Links
