Oct. 11, 2004 - Wood & Steel Magazine - Taylor Guitars
Justin Roth has a gift for writing meaningful lyrics, stirring melodies, and hooks as memorable as anything you are liable to hear on a major label “pop” release. It’s a heady combination.On the chorus to the title cut of his new CD, Roth’s effortless singing intertwines with that of backing vocalist Danya River, their voices rising and falling through a series of beautiful, sustained phrases. The lyrics are especially engaging and support a theme of wonder and acceptance; there is a sense of being welcomed, as if you’re being invited to make yourself at home around a campfire. It’s a nice way to start the album.
In the mid-tempo ballad, “The Only Life”, Roth muses on the daily decisions that form our life stories. His protagonist is woman who has convinced herself to stay in a joyless marriage. Eventually, the woman has an unconscious “awakening”; hardly aware of what’s happening, she packs and leaves, as easily as if she were truly waking up from a dream.
“Crush” is a great song about that powerful and irrational feeling of being smitten with someone. An irresistible vocal hook perfectly underscores the lyrics.
Guitar virtuoso Billy McLaughlin wrote “The Weaver of Avoca”, an instrumental in which Roth displays his own playing ability. Avoca is a village in Ireland famed for its hand-woven products, and Roth’s fluid tap-and-fingerstyle suggests the whirling currents of the rapidly flowing Avoca River, which has powered the mill on its banks since the 1700s.
“Dead Horse Trampoline” (written by a favorite of ours, Bay Area songwriter Christopher Smith) is a simultaneously hilarious, poignant, and gross song whose title suggests what a young boy and his friends do after discovering a dead horse in a field. “Boys will be boys, if you know what I mean,” sings Justin.
There is no shortage of good things to say about Roth’s obvious talents, his terrific backing musicians, and this impeccably produced CD, but I’ll conclude by simply recommending Shine to anyone who appreciates quality songwriting and good music. You won’t be disappointed.
— Andy Robinson
March 1, 2002 - Suite101.com - Santa Barbara, CA The Scoop: Singer/songwriter Roth turns his eye toward the moments in life that we let pass by too easily (thus the album title). These songs are about the simple, often wonderful times in life, like sharing a glass—then a bottle—of wine with an old friend from college. David Wilcox and Martin Sexton are strong influences, and Roth has had the chance to appear in concert with both of them.Highlight Track: The other highlight of "In Between" is Roth’s intricate guitar work, and it’s on lovely display on the instrumental “Seven Sisters.”
Honorable Mention: “This Charming Town” is Roth’s response to Shawn Colvin saying that folk singers always write a song about wanting to leave their hometown, then later write a song about missing it. “This Charming Town” is step one, and a good example of the type of thoughtful, lyrical songs to expect on "In Between."
March 1, 2002 - San Francisco Art Magazine - San Francisco, CA In the mood for a bit of solid guitar talent and story telling wrapped in song? Justin Roth's "In Between" might be just the ticket. Justin's easy vocals and rollicking solo guitar are accompanied by a whole cast of talented musical contributors. Their flourishes and foundations are layered into an unobtrusive musical mosaic using the vehicles of fretted and fretless bass, hand percussion drums such as doumbek and berimbau, the accordion, and more. Two such notable contributors to "In Between" are bassist Enrique Toussaint (Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Paul Anka) and percussionist Mark Anderson (Steve Tibbets).This all-original CD effort manages to keep a very airy grass roots sort of sound. Fans of Leo Kottke or Michael Hedges will find themselves right at home with the intricate guitar work as "In Between" walks a sort of tightrope between Pop grooves and the romantic distinction of Folk. It's that Sunday morning feel good music that, when played on a hectic Monday, takes you back a step to remember that cup of late morning coffee and a blissfully unstructured day. A good example of this easy style is found in the opening track "Ones to Hold Onto." This song reflects the ebb and flow of various relationships throughout our lives.
"I've learned some people come, few and far between, Some people come once in a while, some you let just slip away, while others never will.""Not that Far" is an introspective tune Justin describes as "Truth" is too relative to be defined concretely. It's like looking through binoculars, what you see seems so close, but there's so much being missed beyond the edges." Even without this commentary, the beautifully written lyrics state the shades of grey between the black & white perfectly when he sings, "We may look at our worlds differently, but our worlds are not as far apart as you make them out to be...'Cause I'm not that far from you."Adding to the mix is a very upbeat story song called "Owen Kissus." The idea for which is credited to a fictitious character from the book "A Prayer from Owen Meany."
With an infectious hook and some very elegantly blended changes "She is the One" is a stand out selection on this CD. Also worth a mention is "Yesterday's Gone" a well crafted reminder to seize the day and live in the present, no matter how compelling it is to dwell in the past or fret about the future. A sage concept for us all.
March 23, 2001 - Colorado Daily - Boulder, CO Singer-songwriter Justin Roth recently relocated to Denver, but is no stranger to the Front Range. "In Between" is a collection of 10 acoustic guitar-oriented songs. Roth's lyrics are personal, but accessible. On "This Charming Town" Roth uncovers an urge to flea the proverbial hometown. "She is the One" covers interesting ground as the song finds a couple of friends talking over coffee about a woman they both, unbeknownst to each other, love. Roth's guitar work is precise and a highlight of the disc. If you like the sensitive singer-songwriter world that David Wilcox inhabits, you'll probably warm to Roth's warmth.
Feb. 14, 2001 - Ripsaw News - Duluth, MN Many Twin Ports music fans know Justin Roth can put on a good show, the most recent being two days of recording with Chris Cunningham (also featured on this release) at Amazing Grace. Roth’s latest CD shows that he also knows how to put out a great studio recording. The 10 tracks showcase Roth’s songwriting and musical abilities, as well as those of his 11-member supporting cast.The lyrics to each track are prefaced in the liner with a short explanation of the circumstances that conspired for its creation, a practice that other musicians could learn from. The songs draw largely from Roth’s own experiences and relationships, except for “Mr. Owen Kissus” and the delightful instrumental, “Fatima’s Waltz,” which both have roots in the world of literature. In those two tunes Roth takes the characters into his imagination and lets the listener experience what he perceives to be their lives through his music.
It’s easy to see why Roth has collaborated with Chris Cunningham. The music featured on "In Between" is reminiscent of Storyhill, Cunningham’s most famous venture, in both its generally mellow sound and the tales told through that sound. Cunningham’s backup vocals on “Ones to Hold on To” are just as flawless as they were in his Storyhill days. Roth makes sparing use of a device called the E-bow, which also made a well-received appearance at his Amazing Grace shows. As the name suggests, it’s an electronic device that basically lets guitar players pretend they can use a bow on their instrument. It adds a remarkable dimension to Roth’s music.
The songs on "In Between" look at life as a journey, telling tales that many should be able to relate to. As Roth puts it in the liner notes, “We try to capture moments in our memory to see where we’ve been and where we're headed.” Nomads in life, trying to find a bearing (and other folks too) should enjoy this album.
Oct. 6, 2000 - Stillwater Gazette - Stillwater, MN Justin Roth wasn't always a motivated musician. On his resume, he jokes that in third grade, he declined an invitation to sing with the St. Croix Valley Boys' Choir because he wanted to stay home on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons. That may surprise you if you met him today. The Lakeland native may still watch the occasional cartoon, but he make his living singing and playing his acoustic guitar for audiences across the country.
Having recently finished a new album, Roth was relaxing this week at his Denver home. He moved to the mountains only a few months ago, after living most of his 26 years in the St. Croix Valley. Enjoying a four-day break in his three-month tour of the northern U.S., Roth took time to discuss over the phone his new release, "In Between."
A small, quiet album of solid, modern folk song, "In Between" was written mainly for Roth's small but devoted following of mostly college students and young adults. Aptly titled, "In Between" is about those lost little moments in life which occur between major events. "So often, we try to capture moments in our memory to see where we've been and where we're headed," Roth writes in his liner notes. "In all this commotion, we can forget what's in between those moments, the past and the future, and who we were and who we want to be."
Heavy on acoustic guitar, you'll also be able to pick out drums, bass, electric guitar and accordion in the tracks. Also heard on the disc are Roth's co-collaborators; Stillwater-area resident, and regionally renowned guitarist Billy McLaughlin, and acoustic guitarist/songwriter Chris Cunningham.
On this, his second album, Roth's subject matter is thoroughly Midwestern-post-adolescent. In "Ones to Hold on to," he sings about getting together with an old friend comparing notes over a bottle of cheap wine. In "She is the One," the singer sits down with a friend over a cup of coffee to discuss the girl his friend loves. The singer struggles to tell him the girl loves him instead. "She is the one/He thinks she is the one/But the one for who is the question/It's up to you to tell him."Early Influences
Roth didn't start playing guitar until ninth grade, and joined the Stillwater Area High School choir only after the urging of friends. Working with Stillwater Area High School Director Dr. Erik Christiansen helped him fall in love with performing music. "Choir was a big turning point for me," he says. "The director is a phenomenal guy. He was a big reason I ventured on to do more music."
Once a regular at Water Music in downtown Stillwater - where he took guitar lessons - Roth says that while he has always beeN a fan of acoustic music, in those days he was into heavy metal. "I was playing electric guitar, heavy stuff," he says. "I also had some bad hair, not quite ['90s hard rock band] Warrant hair, but it was long and pretty bad. Hopefully my parents would consider what I do now a turn for the better," he says, laughing.No 'day job' to quit
After graduating from Stillwater in 1992, Roth continued music as a hobby through college at the University of Minnesota in Duluth, where he majored in music management. He continued playing guitar and writing songs, playing some sets at campus-area clubs, as well as booking other bands to play at the school. By the end of his senior year, he was performing regularly and decided to do it for a living.
He hasn't looked back.
Since graduating from the university in 1997, Roth has been writing and touring, has recorded two compact discs, and never has had a "day job." He books all his own shows and handles all his own business arrangements. Without a record label to handle his expenses, he distributes his discs though Peppermint, a St. Paul distributor for Midwestern acoustic music acts. Also on the Peppermint roster are Billy McLaughlin, John Hermanson, Brenda Weiler and Peter Mayer.On the road again
He estimates that by the end of the year, he'll have performed over 120 concerts at colleges, schools, coffeehouses and clubs. If that isn't enough, he is also McLaughlin's road manager.
"I'm going across the country this time, from Washington through Pennsylvania," he says. "I love the road, but you can only do so many shows in a year before you get burned out." But music is his calling in life, he says, and he won't stop touring any time soon. This winter his plan is to finish his tour with fellow Peppermint artist Chris Cunningham, during which time they'll record a live album together. "After that comes out, I plan to go back to Denver and take December off and get back into writing," he says. "Then I want to get back on the road."
Nov. 3, 2000 - Duluth News Tribune - Duluth, MN Justin Roth learned the ins and outs of the music business while attending the University of Minnesota- Duluth. For four years, he publicized or booked acoustic and folk bands for the Kirby Student Center's Bullpub. While earning a bachelor's degree in Performing Arts Management, Roth thought he'd build a career backstage. Three years ago he ended up on stage, performing his own folk songs. While he's decided to be a performer, Roth still books his own shows. "My goal is at some point to get somebody else to do that - to find somebody that I know would work as hard as myself," said Roth, 26, who now lives in the Twin Cities.Roth and fellow folk musician Chris Cunningham will perform at 8pm today and Saturday in the Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe. During these performances, they'll be recording a live CD that will be released in December. Roth got his start at Amazing Grace during his college days. He now performs at colleges and coffeehouses across the nation as has put out two CDs, his most recent called "in between."
Roth's folk music closely reflects his influences, nationally known artists such as Michael Hedges, Willy Porter and Billy McLaughlin, for whom he's been a road manager. He started out opening for David Wilcox, Martin Sexton and Peter Mayer. Roth's music is folky, with lyrical ballads and fingerstyle guitar playing. "In Between" has both an acoustic and electric sound, with several instrumentals. Though all the songs are originals, Roth recognizes that he's following in the path of folk artists before him. "Whatever chord progression you come up with, it's probably been done before. It comes down to adding your own style to it," Roth said.
With his third CD, Roth hopes to capture the essence of his live performances. He timed the album's creation to coincide with his Amazing Grace visit. "This one, we're keeping it more an honest documentation of what we do on tour. It's more about not being so picky," Roth said. "It's more of 'Let's capture these two nights without any bells or whistles.'"
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