The Fairest and Best

"Last weekend, The Fairest and Best came down from Toronto to play the International Pop Overthrow Festival in Hamilton. I have had them at the festival in previous years, and always enjoyed them, but this year they were on all cylinders, with tasty, stylish melodies courtesy of main main Robert Graham, and some of the tightest harmonies and playing I've heard in awhile...and believe me, I hear a lot of bands! They've now established themselves as one of my favourite bands in Toronto." - David Bash - Founder and CEO of The International Pop Overthrow Music Festival

“When I Feel like This” creates a track that feels as if Carlos Santana had taken his 1999 release of Supernatural one track further......("One Little Sign") combines elements of Billy Joel and Elton John while combining a very strong presence from the electric guitar.......("I Won't Cry For You") brings to mind the style of bands like Gin Blossoms and/or The Goo Goo Dolls.......easily the best bet for radio airplay.

Robert Graham and his band The Fairest and Best allow their musical influences to shine on their 2015 album entitled When I Feel like This. The short but entertaining three-song EP gives the listener plenty of variety in that short timespan. And the band’s newest track of “Celebrity” proves that they still have plenty to prove yet!"  - The Rock and Roll Report

"I have no idea what genre this is, it's just good.......something I won't be able to get out of my head for days." - Kamp Radio

"It sounded like Huey Lewis and the News were having sex with Supertramp while Steely Dan watched (smoking a cigarette)...... - Nelson Sobral (The Clebration Army, North Star)

"It Could Be You" – This a great song with a powerful lyric that fortunately for the song, but unfortunately for the world, will always be current. This writer captured the sad state of human suffering with a very well done lyric. A very Beatlesque writing style, especially in the chorus. The verses remind me of Billy Joel - the words flow here and are very memorable. It gives “truth” and believeability when lyrics and melody are in concert like this. Billy Joel is a master at this and this writer is not far behind. Great work! - 2016 Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest

Many singers have sung about current events, politics, hard times. But only a few really get their message out beyond their followers. It takes a mixture of clever song writing, catchy hooks and good production in order to really get the song to travel as far as it can. "It Could Be You" by The Fairest And Best, has all of this. From the first note you know you are in for a journey. - Hammer Records

"These guys are a treat to watch live, with their hard-working, adept musicianship, and gorgeous vocals and harmonies – not to mention a great sense of fun and playful audience interaction........

When I Feel Like This is a tight record; short and sweet.......a great showcase for the band’s eclectic talents.....feel-good, rhythmic groove and tight harmonies......(a) passionate rock ballad dialogue......a bittersweet, whimsical love song.......a driving, guitar rawkin’ anthem." - Cate McKim

"Contains love, happiness, hope and better days in musical notes. In brief, this is the kind of a feeling that makes someone turn up the knob when the song is on the radio, pause what they are doing when it comes on YouTube, and tell their friends. In other words, a feeling sorely missed in modern assembly-line style music. You owe it to your soul to listen! What the "The Fairest and Best" offers is a great pop-edged sort of modern rock, delivered with a masterful sound, and lyrics that leave you wondering and wanting more." - Matt Avery

"Ingenious sophisticated pop music with more twists and turns then the average Agatha Christie thriller" - Bob Fischer - BBC Tees (UK)

"Robert Graham has played many different types of music over the years, from salsa with Australia's Los Chasquis to take-no-prisoners roots with Canada's own Tanglefoot. But he's absorbed a lot of pop influences as a fan - everyone from Steely Dan to Van Halen. All of the sounds come into play on his highly impressive debut solo album "Storm in a Teacup".

"Should have great appeal across the board" - Mark Rheaume - CBC Radio Toronto

"Storm in a Teacup" is an eclectic romp through Robert's collection of influences. From jangling Billy Joel to quirky David Bowie, you can hear
it all but done in Robert's fresh, new way. He is a force on the piano!"

"(the musicians on the album) are a real list of who's who... "Storm in a Teacup" has a really wide appeal....within the album anybody could find ten things that they will gravitate to and grab on to...it's an excellent achievement." - Amanda Putz

What a clever, fun, fresh song! Really enjoyed listening..... as a song, it works on many levels. I would love to hear more from you! This has a great, timeless quirky vibe to it. Reminds me a bit of the Beatles.....the whole piece is really inventive. Well done! The eclectic nature of this song works well.......

(submission critique for the track "Jonathon Baker")

TAXI (Jan 17, 2011)
- TAXI

"Diverse and inspiring!" - Sue Marchant - BBC Cambridge

"This album rocks. It's a soulful outing from Robert Graham and we (Dragon) love his version of Sunshine."

Todd Hunter (founding member of Dragon and inductee into the Australian Rock+Roll Hall of Fame) (Dec 2, 2009)
- via email

"Wow! That's my first response........Robert Graham's credentials and experience are stellar. He has paid his dues and now it's time for him to shine and he does that in spades.......Robert's vocal versatility shines throughout....all the best grooves and melodies that pop, rock funk and blues has to offer.....delivers that ozone freshness after a summer thunderstorm."

Barb Wilson - the Scoop (Dec 15, 2009)
- Barb Wilson

"All of the original songs on "Storm in a Teacup" sound like A-sides.....(the songs) show off Graham's virtuoso musicianship, exemplary rock vocals, and smart lyrics...addictive melodies and clever lyrics that turn your head when you first hear them and stick in there long after the song is over....a remarkable pastiche of influences..... (his) scintillating work on the piano and versatile voice...help(ed) bring to fruition Graham's vision of an album featuring stong harmonies, catchy melodies, and hooks you just can't shake."

"Robert Graham would have made an excellent Jeff Lynne. Maybe even a Donald Fagen or an Ian Anderson....a brilliant debut album."



- St Lawrence EMC Newspaper

....full of international flavour....an unusual album....a stellar group of musicians (has been) assembled. - Kingston Whig Standard

"Albums are supposed to belong to specific genre...and if the artist refuses to conform, well, he's "all over the map"....Never mind. Throw away the bloody map. Good music should always strive to exceed its classification. And Robert Graham should take "unclassifiable" as a compliment.
..."Storm in a Teacup" is, at least on the vocal side, more than a few parts Danald Fagen, with a dash of Neil Young......Graham lined up some top notch musicians for this indie effort....an eclectic musical mix.
To be sure, there is a map for listening to Graham's inaugural effort, albeit a big one. But you will enjoy the trip.

Ronald Zajac - Brockville Recorder October 16 2009 - Brockville Recorder and Times