Bobby St. Vincent: 16 Beers to Bedtime

By Keith Hannaleck

  • Artist: Bobby St. Vincent
  • Title: 16 Beers to Bedtime
  • Genre: Acoustic-Rock
  • Label: Acoustic Juice Inc.
  • MySpace Link

With a similar sound of Dave Matthews Band and the Barenaked Ladies, 16 Beers to Bedtime is an album of laid-back acoustic songs that are easy-to-listen-to whether it be at a bar or driving along in your car. Bobby Vincent came onto the rock scene in 2005 with the release of his self-titled acoustic EP. Since, he has been tearing up the Tempe, Arizona music scene.

16 Beers to Bedtime displays Bobby St. Vincent’s strong vocal range and his ability to write decent medium-tempo acoustic rock songs. The lead guitars are what give the album its true vibe and feeling, which, at times, is lacking in some of the songs. The songs in the beginning of the album are not “bad” per say, but they grow tiring and the sounds blend together. The change comes with, “All the Same,” a bluesy, upbeat energetic song. Up until this track, I wasn’t sure if I was going to end up liking this album. The blues guitars on this song are musically dynamic between the solos and the rhythm guitar. This song has a completely different vibe and picks up the pace of an otherwise boring album. “Girls” displays Vincent’s sexier lower voice and brings in a unique beat and distortion guitars at the end with rocking solo.

“Feel Good Music” brings in the background sounds of a bar, which definitely gives the song a bar/club vibe. In general this song has more of a groove with its lead guitar, bass and acoustic guitar working together to create a certain rock feeling. ”Dreams” comes out of nowhere with a completely different vibe than the rest of the album— one that is moodier and darker. This song is musically creative, carrying a heavier and more emotional weight than most of the feel-good songs on the album. “Without You” continues with this emotional depth. The song begins with only a solo guitar and Vincent singing in a deep, moody voice. Because this song does not have many instruments, there is a raw appeal, which I found breathtaking compared to the beginning of the album.

Overall, I would like to see Bobby St. Vincent explore different sounds like he did with “All the Same” and “Dreams.” While he can write likeable acoustic songs, as an artist, I think he should diverge somewhat from that easy-listening acoustic rock sound that he has displayed in the majority of this album.

Reviewed - May 14, 2008

Tracks:

  • Tonight
  • Two Times
  • Big Country
  • Johnny Boy
  • Wouldn't That Be Nice
  • 20 Miles From Nowhere
  • All the Same
  • Sweet Love Attack
  • Girls
  • Hey Love
  • Feel Good Music
  • Dreams
  • Without You

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About the Author:

Keith Hannaleck, known as “MuzikMan” is a Journalist specializing in independent and major music reviews and the promotion of artists via the various media outlets flourishing online. He has worked closely with artists, management, publicity directors, and webmasters to provide some of the best and far-reaching coverage an artist could have. Focusing primarily on the internet as a medium for his work, Keith has been a pioneer in the industry changing the way a reviewer with his various talents are used by many artists, PR folks, and labels. He has provided strong and valuable work to labels, artists, and publicity people, writing reviews, press releases, and biographies and much more over the years, giving the people he works with the maximum amount of exposure through several top-notch websites that post his content on their sites.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck - www.muzikreviews.com.