Reviews of The Kieran Ridge Band

"Jam-packed with fresh talent, insightful lyrics, and cohesively polished arrangements, The Kieran Ridge Band is nothing short of spectacular...Their power lies in their surprising ability to transcend the comparison, indeed, to soar past. Ridge’s well-crafted songs are instruments of magnificence..."
-Kevan Breightinger
Indie-Music.com

“This Boston band, build around one of today’s most promising new singer-songwriter talents, combines the best of blues, country and classic rock, in a set of perfect songs… great voice, outstanding material, the way it should be!
Kieran Ridge’s lived-through, horse vocals, his lyrics, firmly planted in the earth of everyday life, as well as a well-oiled band, are the unique strengths of The Kieran Ridge Band…”
-Benny Metten
Ctrl.alt.country-Belgium

“This is strong stuff, if you happen to like your roots rock unfiltered.”
-Dan MacIntosh
Indiemusic.com – U.S.A.

”Somewhere in the great spectral continuum of vocal tones, in between Bob Dylan and Ronnie Lane, is the rust colored voice of Kieran Ridge, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist of the band that bears his name. A versatile group to say the least, this Boston area sextet has more in common with Ronnie Lane and Steve Earle than Dylan as they mix dusty Southwestern folk with gritty Texas roots-rock, and finish it off with a hint of classic rock arrangement and flair. Also, elements of the bluesy rock that might seem more familiar to their native Eastern seaboard rise to the fore. But the nice thing is that the band has an earthy vibe and underlying rural tinge. Ridge`s songs, lyrically, have an edge of Kristofferson as he develops rough characters who speak for the heartbroken, the rootless and the victims of hard luck. With bristling vibrancy, The Kieran Ridge Band find it easy to pump out rockers like "Nothing Left To Lose", "Already Gone", "Blinded By The Sight Of You." On the lighter side, while favoring more subtle instrumentation - mandolin, banjo, accordion, fiddle and harmonica - tunes like "Life Is Hard And Love`s Unfair", "The Drifter" and "When You`re Gone" show they can bring on an easy touch, while never abandoning the grit that keeps them interesting.”
-Milesofmusic.com – U.S.A.

“A self proclaimed ‘back to basics roots rock and roll band,’” this is the kind of rock that only wide open spaces produces. Ranging from the heartfelt “The Drifter” through the rocking honky tonk of “Blinded By The Sight of You,” and the so true it hurts country of “Life Is Hard & Love’s Unfair,” this is a delightful set of songs.
A Tight but loose band, great songs and arrangements, topped off by the sandpaper howl of Kieran himself…a pleasure from start to finish. Remember the name, because Kieran Ridge and band should be around for the long haul.”
-A. Hamilton
Zeitgeist – U.K.

“The Kieran Ridge Band is – in my opinion – one of the most underestimated Americana/roots rock bands playing today…The Boston based band is formed around one of the best up and coming singer-songwriter talents of this time. The Kieran Ridge Band draws upon the best elements of blues, country, and classic rock. The result is a set of perfect songs.
Only one listening of this self-produced and self-written CD was enough to appreciate that this is a jewel of an album. This album contains first-rate material…a perfect album. Songs of innocence and experience, good times, and hard times, life on the road and love are performed with faith, love, passion, desperation and soul. Have a listen…and you too will take off your hat to their wide ranging mastery of their music. All in all, a suburb roots rock and roll album.”
-Freddy Celis
Rootstime – Belgium

Nothing Left To Lose, the lead-off track from The Kieran Ridge Band’s sophomore effort, wrestles you into submission early, and never relents, in an ambitious mix of classic era Springsteen-style rockers, and their own blend of country, blues and folk. This CD finds the band dropping in mandolin, banjo, accordion, fiddle and harmonica, in place of, or in combination with the more common bass, drums and guitar set-up. Additionally, Ridge subtlety incorporates different song styles into his writing, and combined with the bands multi-instrumentalists, the results are rewarding…the dynamics, the energy, and the type of songs you can sing along to by the second chorus.
Lead vocalist and songwriter Kieran Ridge, whose voice resembles more of a gruff Steve Earle than The Boss, has his own take on desperate characters falling between the cracks, and clearly demonstrates a real passion for his tales of outsiders, as well as the bar shakin’ good times.
-Kevin Zarnett
The Muse’s Muse – U.S.A.

“This is one of those pleasant surprises! I review so much music each week that it all sort of runs together. Your CD is a refreshing change from the norm; lyrically interesting, vocally unique, and well produced."
-John Roths - Music Director
KEOS 89.1 FM – College Station, Texas

"…oh my was I ever impressed. Rock solid from first note to last, a true winner, as good as anything on the market. Very inspiring, drew me in with your style and grace with words...I receive some of the best independent music on the face of the earth and you guys can hold your own in every respect. "
-Eddie Russell
Outlaw For Peace Radio Show, Texas

“The Kieran Ridge Band is one of the most refreshing sounds I’ve heard in a long time. Kieran is a star in the truest sense of the word. He oozes charisma and has the talent to back it up. I would advise anyone in this business to take a closer look and listen to Kieran Ridge.”
-Dawn Kamerling - President
The Press House - Multi-Media Public Relations Company

“…this cd is just one of the best I've discovered this year!"
-Ray Pieters
Radio Golden Flash, Belgium

“This six-member band keeps it true and uncomplicated. Roots Rock the way Roots Rock should be. An outstanding CD that should stand the test of radio. This is a winning release and it's good to hear Boston bands that keep it roots."
-The Roots Music Report
San Marcos, TX

"Hellfire! This is a bloody good album…Twelve songs featuring some great lyrics, impressive arrangements and top notch musicians."
-The A-Z Music Review Magazine, UK