Christian Beach

Christian BEach is a good looking, charming, witty, talented singer/songwriter, musician with savory stage appeal whose CD release party at the Saint in Asbury Park was a smashing success, where he and local favorites played to a packed house
Christian is a local musician who started playing piano and guitar when he was 8 years old. He was heavily influenced by the music his parents listened to, The Beatles among others and considers his personal influences as varied as Dylan, Billy Joel, Muddy Waters, The Eagles, Elvis Costello and Graham Parker just to name a few. His first band was an industrial band, Slave of Id; he moved into rock with the successful band Ton of Bricks. Christian has come full circle with the release of his self titled CD "Christian Beach" which is a pop oriented piece showcasing Christian's musicianship and amazing vocal range. Seeing him perform songs from the new CD live make the audience aware that this isn't your parents pop. It is much edgier with more of a twangy rocky/folk sound. Whatever it is, it works. - The Rag

You’d think, with a rootsy croon and unassuming onstage demeanor, local singer/songwriter Christian Beach’s bare-bones style would work against his efforts to stand out among the competition.

But staying true to a natural talent for composing mature and textured folk songs, the classically inspired musicianship of the Lakewood-based performer … a former member Artists That Kill and Ton of Bricks … will ultimately serve as a reward to the discerning fan who chooses to move in for a closer look.

Layering Beach’s husky voice and piano atop melodic rock and a tinge of country twang, Beach’s self-titled latest release is well served by passing on the accoutrements common to many of his peers.

Backed by the production work of Jason Corsaro* (Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood), the album features Beach on piano, acoustic guitar, organ, accordion and drums; John Pfeiffer on electric guitar and Gorgo on bass and mandolin.

Though production seems a little thick at times, cameos by Gary Mazzaropi (Les Paul Trio) and Rob Angello (The Secret Syde) change the album’s tone just enough to keep arc.

Comprising 12 tracks, the album presents a broader vision of westward redemption that truly finds its shape in the second half, with the opening chords of the Band-inspired “Poet of the Great Plains.”

Beach credits influences that range from Townes Van Zandt to Tori Amos, and nowhere is the latter more present than on the brooding “”Cemetery Friends,” a noir-jazz that’s easily the album’s best four and a half minutes.

Upcoming gigs include Beach’s record release party tonight at The Saint in Asbury Park, as well as performances at Princeton’s Triumph Brewery on April 23 and May 21 and Fergie’s Pub in Philadelphia on May 13.

Steve Bove,
Staff Writer - Asbury Park Press

Christian Beach closed out the night with his CD release party. His vocals sounded as sharp as I've ever heard them. Supported by a killer band, Beach's tunes were the perfect ending to a truly great night of music. He moved between the keyboards and guitar with songs that featured a blend of traditional Jersey Shore soul with a touch of alternative rock and pop. His band included John Pfeiffer on guitar, Brian Kelly on organ, Gorgo on bass and mandolin, and Michael Scotto (from Agency) on drums.

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but I still was when Keith McCarthy apparently wasn't done for the night and joined the band for a few tunes. He might as well just become The Saint's house musician at this point!

Highlights from the set included songs like "Figure It Out", "The Finest Day", "Open Spaces", "Cemetary Friends", and a stripped down take on "Poet of the Great Plains". The more I hear "Open Spaces" the more I think it really should be a local radio hit. It's a great radio-friendly single. I've had the CD for quite some time now, but I'm going to start popping the tunes back into rotation on ThePenguinRocks.com .

All in all, it was one of the better lineups I've seen in a while, a good crowd, and a night full of surprises. Just another night in Asbury...

-Gary Wien
- Asburymusic.com

Cutting loose, breaking free, and yearning for a new start -- these are not new themes to come from the creations of New Jersey songwriters, in fact, it's stilled in their upbringing.

Trolling the same bars that echoed the same message Bruce Springsteen was preaching from his clandestine rock pulpit 40 years ago, Christian Beach is approaching his craft with the weight of pop.

His self-titled debut is a collection of soundtrack worthy compositions spanning the spectrum of arrangement choices. Piano ballads, guitar folk poems, and Idol worthy commercial prospects lather the recording. The opening track, "Open Spaces," encompasses all of these ideals in sweeping moment of Top 40 aspirations.

Featuring the contributions of bassist, Gary Mazzaroppi, whose credits include the Les Paul Trio and Norah Jones, Beach finds a catchy groove.

Piano melody drives "Stuck Here A While," and the reverb of acoustic guitar sparks "Song for Matthew."

"Poet of the Great Plains," channels a watered down Dylan, before opening into the albums standout track, "The Finest Day." Appalachian twang hooks the ear with a rebel charge.

It's a finely recorded album. Just a little on the clean-cut side for the hypnotic snake bit to the neck.

-Martin Halo - The Waster

"In a world filled with emo whining and bland hip hop, it's refreshing to find someone who stands on tradition without a fashion related crutch." - The Aquarian Weekly

(Tony Levin's brother and classical/jazz pianist)
"Christian Beach has an amazing technique and I really love his music. Refreshing and real!" - Pete Levin

"Christian's vocals and musical arrangements are outstanding. Keep up the great work." - Garth Hudson (The Band)

Really enjoyed your show. You have an original sound..." - Earl Slick