Anonymous Reviews from ReverbNation

"Love the new album!! Perfect timing! I'm downloading so I can listen whenever life seems a little stressful. Thank you!
​Love your perspective.  Truly miss singing with you. Hugs, Terry"

For "No Limits (Feel Good Song)"

“Cool authentic bluesy feel. Great guitar, super soulful. The vocals fit very well with the instrumentals. Lyrics are great; catchy chorus which I enjoy. The guitar solo around 1:39 really rocks. When the saxophone comes in I think it fits well with the song, a nice instrument to be included!”

“I really like the 60's rock vibe to this track. The heavy hitting guitar. The rock-ish beat. Nice and happy. The vocal track is clean and clear. The singer has a very pleasing voice. The addition of backup vocals is amazing. The two singers harmonize and work well together. I can definitely see this song on an oldies station. The drums are light enough that they don't really take away from the track. Ooh and some light jazz elements! This song just gets better and better.”

“The instrumental part of this song has a really nice and soft bluesy funk aura to it that just fits right with the vocal part of the song.  I also love the guitar and the tenor saxophone solos incorporated into this piece. The vocal part of this song has that soft yet smooth feisty feel that mixes very well with the instrumental part and it seems to bring life to one's own life.”

“I absolutely love it! As someone who has done ballroom dance and casual dancing, like the swing and jive, and charleston, I enjoyed this song immensely. The blues guitar has the perfect vibrancy and distortion or overdrive. The vocals, both the man and the woman, fit perfectly with their sustain and blues feeling. This song just fills me with energy and I want to start getting a partner and doing the swing. The production is excellent. I want more bands and single artists to emulate this kind of blues/jazz. It's really energetic and it would be great for any party. This is what music should be today, …. It 's just beautiful. Well done! -Dashiell Stephen”

For "Wake Up"

“I love how the jazz vibe takes over the other instruments. The vocals take over and unleash a lyrical mouth workout. The
vocals are smooth and full of melody. The rhythm is addicting and makes me want to get up and dance around. The whole song is on its way to success.”

“Very upbeat song! Great story! Awesome balance between the vocals and instruments! Voice matches everything perfectly!  Like a story from the 80's! Loving it! Instruments make a great melody and help tell the story really well! Produced in a great way! Definitely a keeper and a great song!”

“Wow! The saxophonist is parallel to the vocalist. The combo of the sax and this clean and crisp voice makes this song
enjoyable . This song is relaxing and puts you in good spirits. It makes you want to move your body to this alluring beat.”

“The opening instantly feels retro, as if it's from a 1940's jazz club. The vocals are great, the singer has good control and his timing is impeccable. The backing vocals compliment his range well and don't overpower his performance at all. The saxophone is excellently played.”

“The jazz style intro was my favorite part of the whole song. The artist stays on beat the whole song and knows what he is doing when it comes to making music. Very uplifting song, perfect for a nice drive along the beach during the summer.”

“Fun, fun song! The beat is catchy and the lyrics are beautiful. Vocals are easy to understand and make the song come together. The saxophone adds a special touch that makes the song special. I would enjoy hearing it on the radio and I think others would too.”

For "Life is Amazing"

“Sweet sweet melody with a smooth vibe, very sensual and in the same time catchy, kind of reminds me of the old school sweet soul music with a mixture of jazz and blues, great song for bars as it brings the sweetness of those genres of music but also adds a little bit of a Caribbean South American taste to it ...”

“Relaxing melody to fall in love with. Singer's voice seems to suit perfectly the mood and style of the song. Rhythm and instrumental performances are good. Lyrical content is very easy to remember as it has a lot of word repetitions. Band musical performance is also tasteful. Simple but well structured song, I liked this track.”

“I loved the cool, jazz-like vibe this track. The quiet simple drum/cymbal beats and the piano together really gave the track a very chill, rhythmic sound that was perfect. The vocals were easy to follow and had great pitch and tone to them. The instrumental combination of drums and lead guitar was also great.”

“There is a snazzy and upbeat piano intro. Male singer has a nice catchy sound that is rather appealing. I think that alone will draw in listeners. Great melody, entertaining rhythm. This song offers piano, trumpets and great beats. I think this is a good original composition with awesome potential. The singer's vocals are soothing and melodic, pure enjoyment.”

“This song is great! I really thought it was awesome. The beat and melody were very fresh and unique. The vocal tone was very pleasing to the ears. Lyrically, the track was fun and great to listen to. I really think this song would be good on TV.”

For "Common Ground"

“The overall tone of the lead guitar was strong and had a unique sound to it. The vocals were clean and had a very harmonic sound, thanks to the sharp sound of the artist 's voice. The rhythm and beat were both solid and quite creative.”

“The piano in the beginning sounds amazing and is very fitting with the vocals of this song. The melody of the song sounds as if I was in a jazz performance. The tone and sound of this song is quiet, soft, and extremely catchy! This is one of the best jazz songs that I have ever listened to!”

“Catchy and interesting introduction -- LOVE IT! The strong and deep vocals are perfect with this type of music. This song makes me want to dance. It brings me back to the 80's and I enjoy the mysterious feel it gives. I like how the chorus minimized the amount of notes in the instrumental to bring out the voice (usually songs make the vocals louder) so this is very pleasing. I would listen to this while I'm cleaning because it 's soothing and fun.”

"This piece is rhythmic right from the intro. It is really entertaining with good on key vocals. His style is perfect for this melody and I like the lyrics. Musically it is very attractive, almost like a jazz style piece. Great adult song that is worth listening to in my opinion. I am pleased by it with its great potential.”

“The beginning instrumentals sound jazzy and bluesy with a touch of Latin rhythm. I like the singer's voice. His voice fluctuates a lot but it's really smooth and sexy!!. The lyrics are unique. This song really makes me want to get up and dance with somebody.”

For "Forward Dreams"

​“A very nice piano part with percussion starts the song off in a bang. The artist has a good voice for the parts he is singing.  So far so good this song is pretty catchy. The tempo is upbeat, the bass is just right. Overall this track is amazing.”

“Has an uplifting beat, nice combination of guitar and piano at the beginning. Great lyrics, the vocals sort of remind me of Tom Petty! Great chorus, could definitely be a hit. Nice full sound, I like when the singer says "reach for the sky" and extends the word at the end, really evokes a feeling of freedom and space.”

“The intro sounds very welcoming and unique. It shows just how much you enjoy living your dream. The tone of your voice was eccentric and serene. Rhythm brings out the best of the song. Instruments were played with skill and concentration.  Lyrics were simple to listen to. I would buy this album.”

“Great voice, very unique quality. Great tempo, very inspirational. I like the beat and how the artist brings power at the end of the song. I could see people downloading this one, it sounds like a Canadian band. Really enjoyed the harmonies. Made me want to dance.”

“The song is very country to me and it came in with a guitar playing very well and softly. The artist lyrics have a message to them and I enjoy listening to this song and like to hear more from this artist and songs like this one.”

“A fun mix of light rock with a catchy groove. The persistent piano accents the singer's vocals, giving it an infectious indie
sound. The recording style gives it an indie feel, with most of the instruments dry, but it is well written and overall an enjoyable track. Even outside of my preferred genre, I like the track a lot.”

“The song is very country to me and it came in with a guitar playing very well and softly. The artist lyrics have a message to them and I enjoy listening to this song and like to hear more from this artist and songs like this one.”

For "Unbridled Smiling"

“Great song. What I love the most is the violins and handsome voice. This is a very good song for country music lovers and people who don't know much about country yet. Great first song to introduce someone to the genre. Also has a pop-music like feel. ”

“This country song really puts you in a good mood. It has some really nice vocals which are really warm and sound confident and clear. The melody played in the background is very interesting, it has some nice guitar sounds. The lyrics are original and  amusing. The instrumental sounds balanced and imaginative.”

“Very upbeat and positive sound, with a lot of instruments initially which was a good risk as they coordinated well. Catchy chorus with still meaningful and playful lyrics. Can see this as a potential popular country pop song. String instruments are the key part of making this whole production successful”

“As the song started I instantly got into the groove. It has that kind of beat that makes you get up and just move. The lyrics are also very good, and puts you in a good mood. I really like this song, and it has some great instrumental music in the background”

“Beautiful violin, love that right at the intro as well as throughout the entire song. Great voice, and good lyrics. Puts the listener in a positive mood. The instruments all sound fantastic. Classic fun country song, good for a summer party or BBQ! Great violin solo.”

“A joyful start with some happy words are always nice. I love the way he sings. I like the little violin solo towards the end there. And a well performed climax to top it off. I loved everything from the lyrics, the beats and drops”

“This song is so upbeat and fantastic! It's a great song for road trips or happy occasions. It has a sort of nice and calm tone and it causes this song to be one you can easily sing to. The words are inspiring and clear to understand. I truly love the instruments in the background also.”

​“The musicianship is amazing in this. The violin matches the piano. I felt some jazz style in the piano. Like a Billy Joel influence. It's very uplifting and I believe that the vocals are absolutely perfect..... Love it!”

“The song sounded very fun in the beginning...Something in his voice really brings out the "true" meaning of fun. Not only the instruments accompanying his voice, but also the lyrics that made the whole song a masterpiece... I would have no 2nd thoughts if I had to option to buy this song and I hope to hear more from this artist another time.”

“I must say that I love the instrumentals! I adore country music and you have your own personal approach to it. I feel as if the instrumentals give off a rock type of vibe that is subtle enough to go great with the country feel. The beat is low enough that your voice really stands out which is great. This song is very relaxing and smooth. The production is wonderful. Your style is very different, I truly enjoy it.”

For "New Beginnings"

“Pleasing instrumentals in the introduction. I LOVE the vocals because it brings me back in time. Incredibly soothing and beautiful. Vocals are calm but cheery. This music makes me smile because the lyrics are sweet and so is the voice and music. This is something I would want to wake up to or fall asleep to. ”

“Very smooth melody with a sense of calm and sweet imaginative moments , gives you the sort of escape from reality and the voice adds a sense of peaceful serenity to the melody,  the kind of music that is soothing and calming to the soul, a very cool  reminder of what's important in life which is nature and its beautiful essence , a very classy song packed with love and Positivity! ”

“New beginnings, yes! From the start the beat had me swaying back and forth. I pictured myself driving down a country road in my convertible top with my hair blowing in the wind, vocals were soothing and the drums were awesome. Background singers were an added bonus.”

“The song screams of tranquility and peace on earth.   The voice has a celestial sound that makes me feel like there isn't anything to be worried about. The instrumentals sound like the sounds of celestial bodies playing calm and tender noises.  The whole song has a feel good vibe. ”

“The beginning feels like a classy feeling love song. The singer's voice is super sexy and smooth. The lyrics are really sweet which I enjoy. The production of the song is superb. I would absolutely recommend this artist to all of my friends; I think a lot of people would enjoy this song and the artist!”

“A beautiful piano intro with great instrumentals that then allow the vocals to take center focus. Super country twang and melody!  I love the easy and relaxed feeling I get when listening. The production is great and has a good audio quality that provides a dynamic and creative edge to the tune. Its rhythm is so well paced I just want to play this over my fireplace and sink into the music.”

For "I Appreciate"

"I like the lyrics and the stance that this song establishes from the very beginning. I like the groove that you also approach within the melody and the chorus. Great job with the vocals too, I noticed throughout that you added a very unique stance and twist to the song by those vocals.”

"Has an old school feeling that really brings you to a different place, a classic, relaxing country song. The addition of the banjo was a great musical choice, in combination with the violin it is a successful and beautiful duo! ”

"The instruments are consistently beautiful and the lyrics are G rated and for the whole family to enjoy them. I really
love this song!”

“The stringed instrument goes extremely well with the guitar, and the singer was practically made for this song. The lyrics of this song are very eye-opening and made me think about everything. The buildup of music is very well composed, and this is a very good song for it 's genre”

“The acoustics had me hooked on the song almost instantly. I love how all of it comes together so nicely especially with the lyrics. It makes everything so happy and I especially love the banjo coming in. The ending of this song was amazing as well because the vocals and the guitar were in perfect sync and it was such a nice ending to a nice song.”

"This song really reaches deep into my soul. I enjoy the singing and how this song blends together. This kind of music really calms me when I'm stressed. This song can make a person go from really stressed to really relaxed and calm. I love it!”

“Best song I have reviewed so far. The combination of instruments was mind-blowing. The violin and the guitar/bango really went well with the vocals. This piece has an uplifting and happy vibe. The tambourine really brought character and a good beat to the song. All in all instruments and vocals are great.”

For "Lady Laughing"

“I love the soft tranquil noises that give me a sense of security and the feeling that all things will work out. The singer has the voice of an angel and the instruments have an heavenly sound that only rock god himself could explain. This song will have potential for commercialized success.”

“I really love how the artist talks about someone they love and how they love life. The song has really positive energy and
outstanding instrumentals. The artist has a really soothing voice and sound really sincere.  The song has clearly defined verses and a great rhyme pattern.”

“This song begins with a soft guitar introduction. It is clear right away that this song has a soft rock feeling to it. This is a love song that embodies what this individual is feeling. His vocals suggest that he is in love and really appreciates the type of love he has with this individual. This is the type of song that you can listen to on a road trip to the coast, or a song for a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the park. ”

“The track is laced with amazing piano playing. Very romantic, sweet, loving, amorous but not annoying or over sweetened. The male vocal is soft and wrapping. The lyrics goes in perfect harmony with the music arrangement and the tenor type voice. And when the guitar steps forward and leads a great dialogue with the piano - that is great”

“The power to make all things beautiful I needed those words. Positive with an upbeat tone. The strings in this piece are
soothing and controlled. This songs leaves you longing for more of the lyrics. The highs and lows are perfect."

For the title track "Optimism Returns"

“Fell in love with this from the beginning. Nice acoustic use, good reverb levels on the vocals. Love the simple, raw intro on this one. The lyrics have an inspiring message that make you want to give up and push harder all at the same time! I would definitely buy this one”

“I really love this piece. It has a deliciously psychedelic western quality to it that reminds me of a lot of the psych rock that local Midwest bands produce. I was immediately reminded of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets during my drives between Wichita and Kansas City. Gorgeous work!”

“The tempo was stylish and compelling enough to get the song played anywhere. Tone of your voice was sensational and gracious. I can tell singing is what you love to do and that side of you will bring in more fans. Instruments have a very delightful vibe that the fans will fall in love with quickly.”

“A very laid back feel to this track. I love the peacefulness of this song, very easy listening. I like how the pace picks up, really cool and unique. I love the lyrics. The singer has a great range.  I really like the harmonies.  Beautiful song and very soothing lyrics.”

“The bend of the strings in this opening kind of give me those good chills. When this artist hits certain falsetto notes in the first verse, it lifts my mood. Love how the melody draws me in from the start. In my mind, I am sitting around a campfire listening to this exact song. Great one!”

“The vocalist is very talented. Right from the start I already enjoy how smooth the man's voice is. He has a Cat Stevens and James Taylor sound. He doesn't use too much vibrato which is actually something more vocalists these days should learn to control. I liked the subject matter; it leaves me with a "walking down main street in the fall" kind of melancholy feeling.  I enjoyed the guitar a lot…  I enjoyed how evenly the music is laid out. It feels very proportionate to the music. There are no awkward highs or lows worth pointing out…. It was a very enjoyable song and the only thing that might be changed is a guitar with less reverb and a little bit louder finger style solo section. Overall I enjoyed it a lot! Well done!" -Dashiell Stephen

“This song has used the instruments perfectly to portray the songs emotions, it seems a somber song and that comes through with the vocal range of the artist. The artist's voice captivates you with the changes in pitch and depth. Reminds me of a band my parents used to listen to, in a good way”

“The instrumental part of this song has a very soft feel to it, even though this song could also represent a dark aura that the singer may be facing at the time of its release. The lyrics convey that the singer is in a place teeming with darkness that is awaiting to be conquered by his efforts to go past the troubles, preventing him from moving forward. The production part of this song shows that the singer is a saddened character who is trying to find his way into the light. A very well thought out and perfectly made song indeed."

“I absolutely love everything about this song. The beat is beautiful and mesmerizing. The story is captivating and relate-able.  One of the most beautiful pieces of art I have heard in awhile." ​

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