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Craig Roberts
Maybe
Self-Released
Format Reviewed: CD
Soundclip: "Maybe"
Craig Roberts is the Shel Silverstein of indie rock. His ears blossom with heavy metal licks and cheesy '80s synth, and he'll rhyme anything that's easy, like "art" and "fart". His songs cover sugar highs, crushes, puffs with the dog and stinky neighbors. He has a huge thesis on stinky neighbors: he doesn't like them. Stinky, bitchy neighbors? He likes them even less. As we can tell from the title track, Roberts is more a porn man. His teenage narrator closes out "Maybe" on a big erection. When he finds Dad's pornography collection in a box, blam! The melody quickly perks up.
This is music made for a lark. Take a gifted jokester, give him and his friends keys to a "studio", let them have fun and this is what you'll get. The songs here are so unabashedly based on this aim -- and little else -- that you'll succumb without a fight. It's not that the material is that great -- it's no Dead Milkmen, or even Paul Rodriguez -- but Roberts has the same infectious spirit that Adam Sandler brings to his songs. He wants you to like them so much that you will. You'll have no choice.
http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=10634940671145 - Theadore Defosse
Craig Roberts Maybe EP (self-released)
Whiny, jokey, overly-verbose keyboard-driven pop songs that nonetheless charm with their almost overbearing sincerity. I can think a thousand reasons to dislike this puppy, but for some reason I'm smitten. Maybe it's song titles like "Funky Aliens." Maybe it's just the absurdity of it all. I really can't say. There's just something intangibly cool here. - Jon Worley
Discography
Depantsed - 2002
Maybe - EP 2003
New full length album winter 2005
Photos
Bio
“COMEDY ROCKER,” CRAIG ROBERTS, RELEASES SOPHOMORE EP, MAYBE
Comedy has always been an important part of Craig Robert’s life. Listing Robin Williams, Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler among his favorite comedians, Craig admits, “I love to make people laugh. I took great inspiration from these gifted comedians and always wished I could be like them one day, and have a successful career in comedy.” Craig’s enthusiasm, ambition and love of music eventually lead him to pursue a recording career combining both comedy and music. Maybe is the title of Craig’s new EP, a follow up to his full-length 2002 debut, Depantsed.
As a child, Craig was active in a professional Children's Theater Company, where he had landed various leading rolls. Later, he spent three years at Northbrook Theater, playing the role of Charlie in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. In high school he cultivated an interest in Improvisation and Sketch comedy and began training and performing with both ComedySportz and Improv Olympic. Not long after, Craig discovered the comedy of the infamous Second City and set his goal on becoming a Comedic Actor. “I also began writing some of my own sketch comedy,” Craig says, “and I started writing lyrics because, like every kid, I also had the dream of becoming a rock star!” he laughs. “Still, I knew there was a way I could do both so I started writing funny songs.” Lacking any real musical training, and without a band, Craig’s ambition drove him to master the necessary software and equipment to compose music on his computer. Craig released his hilarious comedy debut, Depantsed, in the summer of 2002.
Craig’s latest EP, Maybe, features six tracks of his unique musical wit. Weird Al meets Rick James on “Funky Aliens,” which explores the possible scenario that might go down when extraterrestrials invade the local disco. The frenetic energy of “Sugar High” and the Anti-partying anthem, “What’s Goin’ On” -- with it’s buoyant ska beat -- are the kind of catchy pop tunes that will appeal to fans of Blink 182, Sum 41 and Good Charlotte. “Maybe,” the EP’s title track has already been featured on the nationally syndicated radio program Dr Demento -- eventually making it to the Funny Five. Maybe also features censored and uncensored version of Craig’s rant against residential unrest, “Rowdy Neighbors.” Craig is backed instrumentally on Maybe by a kick ass live band.
While attending Columbia College in Chicago (Studying Arts, media and Entertainment management with a concentration in Music Business) Craig has his future sights on continuing his music career and keeping the laughter flowing through improv, sketch and song. Craig Roberts is available for interviews. For more information, review copies of Maybe or to schedule a time to speak with Craig, please contact RCI Music Promotion.
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