See a PDF of the complete articles.

Quotes from recent articles on Robert's full-length release Someone, Somewhere:

(DIW) “… truly timeless creation, Roth’s work overwhelms listeners one moment, then pacifies them in starkly bare passages seconds later. It echo’s nearly every great blast of sound from the past 50 years, not in the order of it’s chords, but in it’s ability to shake listeners from their complacency.” [-Adam Lauridsen]

(UNCUT) 4 STARS **** (December, 2004)
Though he's best still known for his role in Truly's 1995 album Fast Stories...From Kid Coma, Robert Roth is way beyond grunge. This solo debut is crammed with classy naked city observations like the magical opener "Vicky and Jacki" and the epic "Walk All Over Downtown Life". With a musical talent to match his ear for detail, Roth slips melltron, loops and Farfisa in between some richly arranged songwriting that echoes Pink Floyd and Jorma Kaukonen. If Bob's voice is eerily reminiscent of Syd Barrett, the notes and nuances are highly original. [Max Bell]

(UNCUT) (January, 2005)
Pacific North-West Noir Pop Purveyor
Roth is a cult Seattle figure who specialises in dark pop with twilight-zone lyrics. Shades of The Flaming Lips and Television permeate his songs. He was a founder member of Truly, who recorded for Sub Pop and Capitol during the '90s, and he's just released his solo masterpiece, Someone, Somewhere, which has got that 'they live by night' mood nailed.

(INDEPENDENT UK) (Jan. 2005)
"The first solo effort from the former frontman of Truly is a dark, textured and experimental outing stamped with great guitar work. Production-wise, it grabs from the likes of Brian Wilson, Flaming Lips and Spacemen 3, with some charming and wistful pop ditties affectionately filtered through some technological tangents." [-Tim Perry]

(CLASSIC ROCK UK) 4 STARS ****
‘Someone, Somewhere’ soon emerges as a gem with elbows, it’s sleazy, dream-like songs jostling lesser records aside. It took three years to make, with Roth drawing on Tom Verlaine-meets-Jimi Hendrix-like guitars, and throwing Mellotron, brass and fizzing analog synthesizers into an echo-drenched yet distinct mix -- think lo-fi glam, classic 70s rock, and soaring space-cadet moments a la Spiritualized and Mercury Rev... If you like your rock arty, inventive and committed, this barbed beauty will thrill and charm you." – [James Halbert]

(AMPLIFIER) “A legend in the seminal Seattle grunge scene… Roth guided Truly through indie greatness and an uncompromising major label stint… peppering his songs with singular arrangements and scathing and insightful political observations. Robert Roth demands a listeners attention now and a critics attention toward the end of the year.” [-Brian Baker]

(THE STRANGER) “Surges of psychedelic melodies and horns too… dreamy and warm. Pretty damn good.” [-Kathleen Wilson]

(THE PORTLAND MERCURY) “Part Tom Verlaine and part evil Brian Wilson, Roth's solo work is extended in musical prose with complete ideas and illustrations achieved through the rigorous and dense topography of his lush imagination and all-encompassing production.” [-Lance Chess]

(SEATTLE WEEKLY) “Roth may be a by-product of the Pacific Northwest (his old combo Truly featured former members of Screaming Trees and Soundgarden), but “Someone Somewhere…” is pure New York rock.” [-Kate Silver]

(BIG TAKEOVER) “Robert Roth re-introduces himself to the world with an amazingly strong and cohesive solo album. Dark and moody rock and roll that pulses with an almost psychedelic sexuality… Roth’s vocals seduce with a strange and passionate wisdom." [-Marcel Feldmar]

(COPPER PRESS) “… an exceptional example of Robert Roth’s creative wit and musical prowess. Roth pushes the envelope with his ability to capture the raw essence of human emotion in song. Roth genuinely paints sonic atmospheres and melodic landscapes with fervor and originality, providing a sharp look into his promise as a solo artist from Seattle. A captivating and enlightening work.” [-Shawn M. Haney]

(SPLENDID) “If Roth was waiting for the perfect time to drop “Someone Somewhere…”, he couldn’t have picked a better time than right now. It’s a dense ambitious work, imagining what could have happened had the children of the Northwest Rock Explosion been allowed to grow up instead of killing themselves with drugs, bad records and major-label deals. This is DIY that dreams big.” [-Steve English]

(AVERSION) “… ought to elevate Roth out of the basements of underground semi-fame to a name mentioned by rock fans of all stripes.

(IN MUSIC WE TRUST) “Former Truly front man Robert Roth's debut solo record, Someone, Somewhere... is a rich, beautifully bold pop album… Roth does a grand job delivering hook-laden, off-the-beaten-path late-night pop.” [-Alex Steininger]

(SKRATCH) “Robert Roth (Truly, Built to Spill, Jim Carroll) is an important unsung hero to the modern underground music scene. Roth has weaved one of the best lyrically driven albums. This is indeed a historical account, a prophetic warning, and a vision for the modern young American.” [-Norberto Gomez Jr.]

(TONE & GROOVE) “… trumpets, cellos… Roth’s guitar playing is edgy and gritty. Piano punctuates several numbers like sparks leaping above the synthesized sounds. Roth’s vocals are strong and flavorful and he knows how to punch it up in just the right places.” [-Jen Grover]

(THE TABLET) “Former Truly front-man Robert Roth has created his masterpiece. And I mean literally. Untainted and timeless…” [-Angela Larck]

(THREE IMAGINARY GIRLS) [live review] “ Roth’s set tickled me with it’s staggering array of musical influences. One minute I was enjoying the full and sonic, guitar driven rock, feeling the beauty of his old wave influences, and then the next moment we’ve gone all Pink Floyd. Robert Roth was simply too big for the room.” [-Dana Weiss]

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