"LIVE REVIEWS"

"Drazy Hoops…..charms a crowd without the indignity of trying to do so: he respects his audience enough to spare them the boringness of shtick. Rather, he just straight ahead performs captivatingly pretty, sometimes hilariously acrimonious... and sometimes emphatically rocking melodies.... equipped with surprisingly sumptuous, breathy vocals that span soul falsetto to that VU grumble growl... Drazy and his band...warbled, strummed, and drummed through a handsome edifying set full of subtle virtuosity. Drazy sort of purred, twanging with infectious world-weariness. Rich, deep, and skilled, his voice assumes an emotional stance with amazing facility…I was struck by the hard country timbres……and by the gorgeous falsettos."
Hillary Chute
The Village Voice

 

"BRING ON THE HATE"

" If you're looking for a reason to still believe in the power of music, you need look no further than Bring On the Hate...The band blends classic pop elements akin to the later releases by The Beatles as well as American psychedelia...What I love most about this album is the clever balance of instruments that coalesce so effortlessly into graceful, fun songs that are sincere, catchy and above all, intelligent. Tracks like "The Sun God's Laughing" by all rights should be a hit across the nation. "Soul Like the Sun" is, next to American Music Club's "Hula Maiden," one of the most achingly beautiful songs that fairly shimmer on the slide guitar... throughout, this album relies on Drazy's extremely talented guitar playing and penchant for clever, infectious melodies... like the finest of pop craftsmen, Drazy doesn't belabor a point and is capable of creating a solid song chop, full of hooks, that is lean and doesn't cross over into the four-minute mark...At the end of the day, and the end of this album, one senses that the world is just a little bit better for having listened to this album (and for having Drazy around for making it)."
Terry Eagan
INK19

" Cosmic cowboy Drazy Hoops melds punk, roots rock, blues, and alternative pop on Bring On the Hate, a wandering collection of songs brimming with spirited performances, understated melodies, and romantic yearning. Rendering his musings with a relaxed baritone that floats above the music, Hoops views the world through kaleidoscope eyes, preaching psychedelic bliss in " The Moon Lies" and warning anyone who'll listen of the perils of reckless sexual abandon in "Feel the Snake." Not hesitant to display syrupy sentiment in the title track or a dour bottom-of-a-shot-glass take on the futility of life in "A World Away," Hoops revels in his role as a philosopher and a crooner. With a rhythm section that punctuates Hoops' daydream beliefs via crisp solos and lush textures, Bring On the Hate is a genre-transgressing disc that catches the listener off guard."
Tom Semioli
4 stars ****All Music Guide

" Beautiful melodies, depth and substance...passionate, intelligent lyrics, cutting edge musicianship."
Mick Dillingham
Bucket Full Of Brains, UK

 

"THE INFINITE STARLIGHT"

"The Infinite Starlight is an ace album of tracks the evoke the better elements of British psychedelia… what makes this album so much fun is Drazy Hoops' voice. He blends J Mascis' slacker and Dave Berman's mystic detachment on songs that positively shimmer. The production and arrangements are spotless and highlight Drazy Hoops' considerable skill as a songwriter. It is difficult to not see this as a harbinger for significant releases to come."
Terry Eagan
Ink 19

" Well here's quite a surprise…with a title like The Infinite Starlight I figured this one would last about three minutes. Boy was I wrong! Drazy sounds a whole lot like Boston in general and Evan Dando in particular. He seems to be affecting his voice somewhat, but it's pretty damn compelling. He's got a pretty good bunch of players backing him up, too...There's a whole lot of J. Mascis in here as well… this is a really solid record. "
Rob Browning
New York Hangover

 

"STRAIGHT TO BLACK"

"Whether It's a tune by Tindersticks, Son Volt or an old Stones ballad, there's always room on your mixed tape for a lonely song, and guitarist Drazy Hoops stands to be crowned the genre's king. Hoops is a graceful, confident song-writer, and Straight To Black sounds like the end of the party - a great one where not much got broken and the pretty girl with the tattoo stayed and almost seemed to like you.

…a Beatle-ish blend of sophisticated melody, sing-along choruses and la-la-la ginger bread…with none of the cliches and all the poetry befitting an adept artist...Cue this up and feel your loneliness take heart."
Collin Berry
Magnet Magazine

"You may remember Drazy Hoops, who takes his name from a song on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica, from the band Atomic Cafe (perhaps not). Either way, you should note that his new release, Straight to Black …showcases Hoops' low, smooth, and hypnotic vocals, which work perfectly over the catchy, streamlined, minimalist pop. I would suggest catching him if he happens to be anywhere near your town, as he is an artist that, in a just world, would be enormously popular."
Vinnie Esparza
The Gavin Report

"When properly shaped, good ideas grow into ingenious concepts. Straight To Black transcends genre and style while traversing the like-minded genius of Captain Beefheart, Nick Drake, Tom Waits, David Bowie and Beck, just to name a few...Turn the lights down low, crank up the volume and head for the deep end of the pool. The water's fine and there's no reason to come up for air."
Ed Yashinsky
Rockpile Magazine