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Dust and Tears

I think before any of you even put this album into your CD player, Mp3 player, computer or wherever, you should bear in mind that only two people contribute to the making of 'Dust and Tears'. There's obviously Rick McGuire himself, who takes on the vocals, guitar, bass, drums, producing, mixing, recording and engineering, and Donnie La Marca, who contributes keyboards, piano, strings, Hammond B-3 organ and "other cool sounds". I can hear your opinions forming as you read.

As it happens, you'd be wrong. Now I'll allow you to press play and listen to the complex, dense maze of sound that emanates from your speakers. There's no doubt this is something of an achievement for only two people, and the quality of the recording does it great justice. It's timeless, college-radio stuff with wide, expansive guitars and lots of open strumming - good, old-fashioned rock music.

Here's a list of adjectives for this album: Resonating, peripheral, subtle, caressing, catchy, soulful, full of storytelling. Just cobble these together as appropriate - there's certainly enough to like here. I also get the feeling that everyone will hear this differently - there are too many layers and delicacies not to. My favorite listen has to be the brooding 'Beauty In Lies', dark clouds hovering around the edges of this one... mmm. It can be a little basic, but who cares? It's nice. And everybody likes a bit of good honest nice every now and again.

Emmy
Music Emissions 

CD  Dust and Tears

There are only two players to the different elements heard on “Dust & Tears”. When an individual has the ability to hear exactly what sort of dense and detailed sound issues forth from their speakers during “Dust & Tears”, they will be amazed. McGuire himself takes on the vocals, bass, guitars, and drums, while Donnie La Marca takes the strings and the piano-type instruments. “Breathe” is the culmination of these two talented musicians, making for a track that touches upon the Goo Goo Dolls, Vertical Horizon, and even earlier acts like Neil Young and Bryan Adams.

“Breathe” is destined for rotation on college and alternative radio, and represents the best possible foray into the minds and hearts of listeners that are new to McGuire’s work. “Up All Night” may not be as immediately catchy as “Breathe”, but represents an important track on “Dust & Tears” as it allows McGuire to spread his wings. The production here gently caresses the rich layering of drums, guitars, and vocals. While there are still catchy vocals and heart-felt allusions, it is really the musical side of things that represents the most beautiful thing here. “Beauty In Lies” may be the best track on “Dust & Tears”, though. There is a darker, more brooding sound that flickers at the periphery during this track, which starts innocently enough as a description of a female.

The blending of knowledge and love here strikes a chord that resonates in anyone that is turned onto the track. “Hero” drops much of the instrumentation that is present throughout the album, instead opting for a much more laissez-faire approach to the song. While there are drums and a synthesizer flickering at the edges of the thing, it is the vocals that command the most attention. There is a certain timeless quality with McGuire’s vocals here, ensuring that fans of all ages will find something that they can appreciate. In that sense, then, “Hero” represents in a part the whole of Dust & Tears: impressive rock music that is eclectic enough to keep all interested and eagerly anticipating more by the end of “Come Inside”.

Brian
NeuFutur Magazine

 


Rick McGuire
This Time


"This Time" - Only four tracks on this gem...  
WOW worth the purchase of the EP! Listen for waiting for you and this time on radioio."

Zoe Montana
radioio


This TIme

A stunning performance that boasts great talent and wonderful moods.  "Waiting for You" -  More that just catchy hooks – this song melds melody with style in a seamless fashion that leaves the listener in awe…

Chris Lewis, A&R
 Shut Eye Records


Rick McGuire
Screaming

 

 

 Rick McGuire's debut CD 'screaming' sneaks up on you the way the good one's do. He's a subtle storyteller with the same intriguing imperfections that make a painting great"

Leslie Schumann  
Static Magazine

Rick McGuire
This Time






Singer-songwriter Rick McGuire plays jangly pop songs in the vein of John Mayer, and his recent four-song EP, "This Time," provides a nice little overview of what he's all about.

The album's first track, "Dance all Night," is an upbeat rocker about a night in the life of a pole dancer. It's a pleasing little pop number that would fit right in with anything done by the Honeydogs, which is appropriate, considering the Honeydogs' drummer, Noah Levy, provides his percussive talents on this EP.

"All I Ask" is reminiscent of Hootie and the Blowfish, and I don't mean that it in a bad way--it's just a standard bar band type of tune. "All I Ask" features some good keyboard work by Donnie LaMarca, who also accompanies Jonny Lang. The title track is a rather morose tune about a lying lover that gives McGuire a chance to show off his blues guitar prowess...

...All in all, McGuire has a good, slightly gruff singing voice that complements his ear for affable pop songs. He fills the role of bar band troubadour quite well, and his easygoing songs should appeal to those who like the Cities 97 brand of adult music.

TH 
RIFT  Magazine

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