Drayton Michaels is a singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist. The music Drayton offers is a welcome change from the teenagers out there who's sole purpose for performing is celebrity. Future classic is the most apt description of Drayton's material. At once new and familiar, after a listen or two the tracks may appear to be already embeded into the listeners concsiousness. With hooks big enough that you can hang a side of beef on, with lyrics that are honest, insightful and not too wordy or pretentious, yet the poetic underpinnings that are the bedrock of all great lyrics remain ever present. Packaged in world class musicianship and radio ready production, Drayton Michaels is someone to keep your eyes and ears on.
LOW STRESS IN THE DEEP END AVAILABLE AT WWW.CDBABY.COM - iTunes and all digital retailers
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REVIEWS:
http://www.independentsonly.com/reviews.html
Drayton Michaels has a complete package for stardom within the 11 songs on "Low Stress In The Deep End". It's crystal clear pop harmonies coupled with amazing orchestration, smooth as silk production and a writer with a knack for catchy lyrics. One full listen to this disc gives you and insight to all facets of a musician, introspective, soulful and engaging. "Everybody" is just one of the many tracks that would fit nicely on the radio airwaves with it's sing-a-long styled chorus and memorable rhythm. An experienced class of musicians lends a hand on the recording but it's Drayton's pure voice and style that will stand at the front and pave his way. R.I.Y.L.: Rufus Wainwright
http://www.leonardslair.co.uk - Rock, Pop, Soul, Jazz Drayton has successfully fused them together into an excellent body of work. In fact there are three songs here which are brilliant: 'Anyway', 'Everybody' and 'So Cautious' all boast hook-filled arrangements and clever structures. Drayton's voice is precise but always emotive and together with a talented array of supporting band members it's hard to believe this is an independent release. For this is an intelligent and infectious record that is strong enough to reach out to both adult rock and alternative fans alike. 4 out of 5 - Jonathan Leonard, Leonard's Lair --- Low Stress In The Deep End made Leonard's Lair top picks for 2005
Mike Bond, UK Music Search - Laughing in the face of anyone who says all the best tunes have already been written, EVERYBODY, bristles with a sense of immediateness and unbelievable catchiness that's breathtaking. With a song someone like Rufus Wainwright would probably kill for, this comes across like a slice of classic pop that you can easily picture blasting from radios world-wide over the coming year, a pitch perfect blend between Oasis, Scissor Sisters and Damien Rice - this could well be Drayton Michaels trump card in world domination. LOW STRESS IN THE DEEP END is an album of definite promise and highs, representing the emergence of a singer/songwriter with a genuine talent and bright future. A song like EVERYBODY or GHOSTS OF MANHATTAN, almost floors you with its greatness sounding like the work of someone with the presence to be a global star.. genuine musical gems to proclaim Drayton Michaels as someone likely to be making massive musical waves very soon.
J-Sin, SMOTHER.net
Sheds the stereotypes and avoids the trappings of the singer/songwriter clich with his dynamic album Low Stress in the Deep End. His vocal delivery is incredible with over lapping vocals that really give it a good punch like on the first track, Thievery. Not only are the vocals commanding but indeed the rest of the instrumentation lends its own clenched fist to your sternum knocking you down for a cold night on a bare floor. Maybe thats what they mean when they call it 'pop'?"
TAXI.com - "This is first rate! You've got it all - strong memorable hooks, lyrics with depth and originality, intriguing melodies....great musicianship and vocals. This is an artist that is ready to be heard by the industry. You've got the goods!"
Leigh Silberg (United Global Artists)- "Drayton Michaels has such a warm and brooding vox delivery that a listener is instantly drawn to his alluring and earthy soundscapes. A unique artist with a singular musical vision, Drayton's vocal range is equally at home in octave spans across baritone to alto tenor coloration and range. He has such potential and progressive expansion in his inspirational approach to crafting music that one finds his work both enigmatic and beguiling. A ghostly sheen haunts the edges of his sound paintings in such a way as to draw a listener inwards and onwards to repeated listening within the fabric of his songs. Check out Drayton's compelling first album, Low Stress In The Deep End. You will not walk away from the experience, without being affected by his sonic prowess & artistry."
Soul Shine Magazine - Tracks like "At Least", with its pounding groove, "Thievery", complete with delicious guitar hook, and the lovely "I'm Not Waiting", with it's twee-pop feel, are proof that Michaels' is headed in the right direction. Low Stress In The Deep End is an ace album for listening to on a late night car ride, or simply semi-chillaxin'.
MusicMorsels - Drayton Michaels voice is the first aspect you notice on the debut from this New Yorker. He procures a subtle depth that doesnt drive itself into you, but lets you immerse yourself in the enthralling timbre. You can let yourself into the music, featuring intellectual lyrics and well crafted songs. Sticking with a mostly acoustic feel ranging from mellow folksy ballad to lightly plugged alt rock, Drayton has created easygoing but delicately intense music.
REDEFINE MAG / SEATTLE - On Low Stress in the Deep End, Drayton Michaels has found his unique voice with a fantastic range and a haunting delivery, which gives us an almost bubblegum type of jazz pop. The standout track on Low Stress is Ghosts of Manhattan, which features Michaels and a piano. This stripped-down approach works the best for Michaels, leaving his voice free to float around and explore its full range. Anyone who would have had the chance to see Drayton at one of his solo acoustic shows probably have gotten a chance to see a great singer work his craft.
NuFutur Mag : Everybody by Drayton Michaels shows that heirs ear for pop is impeccable... parallels can be made to early-era Elton, especially in tracks like Understand.... I could conceivably hear them on teen-based TV shows and the like Lets make this clear: Michaels work is leaps and bounds better than 99% of most of the singular singer-songwriters.... I have total faith in the ability of Michaels to continually innovate and come back in a year or two with a better disc. Top Tracks: Everybody, Ghosts of Manhattan NuFutur Mag Reviewed 31 March 2005
The Music Appraisal - Low Stress In The Deep End is one of those records that you can just pop into your CD player and forget that you have it on but when you do remember its on you are reminded of how good it actually is.....Drayton has really hit a home run with his debut album and everyone who likes great singer songwriters should really check it out. You can pick up a copy pretty cheap at cdbaby.com -
Jonathan Plum (Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Blind Melon)
"Great modern pop melodies combined with cool flashy undertones of soul standards. A classic ability to fuse jazz and pop aided by a soaring voice. Lyrics are cutting and honest. Very cool and original."
John Ziegler (KUMD-FM Duluth, MN) - "Low Stress In The Deep End" has been on our air waves since we opened the mail. A great batch of intelligent songs,well-delivered and with superb backing players. You may not know his name now, but you will...Trust me, radio stations in Dylan's hometown know good song-writers."
Arie Musil One Times One.com - "Low Stress In The Deep End is released with humble confidence... this album is gentle and harmonic... Low Stress is like a good coming-of-age album that can grow on you over time if you allow it to happen. Further proof: 'Right By Your Side'. Although the closing track, it's the best on all of the album. A calming, nurturing tune, it's fit for a tear-jerker, edge-of-your-seat, gripping lost-and-found, lost-in-love romance flick as the lovemaking scene commences with a sigh of relief and comfort that She has found Him and He has fallen into love with Her. And so there you have it-- Drayton Michaels singlehandedly puts out his debut with a gracefulness deserving of attention." - (3 out of 5 stars)
Not Lame Records: Drayton Michaels has a classic acoustic-pop grounding where his songs shine amidst simple arrangements, intelligent musicianship and dynamic craftings that work on many levels.
DEMO UNIVERSE: Low Stress In The Deep End stands out for the quality of Michaels' songwriting and the evident care and craftsmanship that went into its making. Midwifed by a cast and crew of seasoned professionals, this record sounds terrific... if you're into Michael Penn or the Finn brothers, Drayton Michaels will surely float your boat.
UNSIGNED MUSIC MAG.COM This is a great CD in everyway. Productions and lyrics are very well arranged. Each track is very original and the whole project is well balanced. DM sits well in the mix (vocally) and every thing else falls where it’s supposed to; I love that. Okay this is another CD that won’t make it back to the publisher’s hand.
Ear Candy: Equal parts pop, soul and rock. “Low Stress In The Deep End” is one smooth, polished effort. “Thievery” is the lead off track and it alone was enough to pull me in. That doesn’t happen too often. I guess I would file this in between The Goo Goo Dolls and Suzanne Vega with a dash of Simply Red and Squeeze thrown in. Lush vocals are a constant here. Favorite track: “Understand”. 3 and a half stars
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