Johnny Lingo

"Is Johnny Lingo Providence's own 'Ben Fold's'? yes, pretty much. Lingo is a talented, rhythmic pianist with pointed, personal lyrics and quirky, melodic hooks" -- Bob Gulla, Providence Phoenix - Providence Phoenix

"The future holds a lot of promise for this up and coming Piano Front Man. It's clear that Lingo's weapons are his songwriting skills, a convincing pop-oriented lead vocal, and that omnipotent piano." -- Motif Magazine - Motif Magazine

Johnny Lingo Band - Shake It Off
2008, onetime

Johnny Lingo is perhaps the next big thing. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, the guy who always swore he’d never become a musician has become something more: an artist. Johnny Lingo behind the keys is something to behold. He writes with the bombast of Elton John or Ben Folds, and the pop sensibility of Billy Joel. His debut album, 2008’s Shake It Off, is something you’re going to want to hear.

Johnny Lingo is going to be compared heavily to artists such as Folds, John and Joel; due to the piano-driven rock style he writes in. The comparison is fair and warranted. Johnny Lingo benefits from the path they have cut in the rock universe, and he writes well enough to carry his own weight amongst such luminaries. Whether Joel-esque story songs (Step Outside), jazz-fueled rock (Foolin' Around), new wave (Fallen Angel) or Folds-style brashness (1in10), Johnny Lingo can do it all. Shake It Off is a how-to guide for making a great piano driven rock album. Other highlights include Marquee Move, This Man and Guess Again, which is the most starkly personal song on the album.

Shake It Off introduces Johnny Lingo to the world. This debut is more like a big bang than a cosmic whistle. Johnny Lingo is a rare talent who will not stay hidden. I'd like to hear another album before we truly put him in the circle with the likes of Folds, John and Joel, but he's making an argument you have to listen to.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

link: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-johnny-lingo-band-shake-it-off.html
- Wildy's World

What do you get when you cross a keyboard, a drum set, and some powerful vocals? Well, the unique sounds of The Johnny Lingo Band, of course!

Bringing their dynamic combination of two traditionally-unpaired instruments, keyboardist/vocalist Johnny Lingo and his drummer Chase Leonard showcased their talents Thursday night at an unforgettable Live at the Loft performance.

Reminiscent of early Billy Joel and channeling the lyrical vibes of Dashboard Confessional, The Johnny Lingo Band boasts a style that is completely its own. Lingo and Leonard succeed in blending two distinctive sounds into a harmonious whole. "I think they have such an amazing dynamic together...you can really hear every note" says Elizabeth Hughes '12.

From the moment upon stepping foot into the Loft, one could gather that The Johnny Lingo Band enjoys creating a lively atmosphere. They lined tables with free copies of their CD Shake it Off and played with an enthusiasm that was absolutely contagious.

Simply watching Lingo's fingers move across the keyboard with lightning speed was mesmerizing and entertainment enough to last the whole night. "The guy at the piano is a monster...he's killing it out there," says Kachi Udeoji '12.

However, this duo refuses to rely on the power of the music and pushes each performance with an energy that challenges each listener to get up and dance. Many Loft patrons jumped up and danced in the aisles, to the pleasure of Udeoji, who says "We need to revive the dance-party feel [during Live at the Loft]."

Amid the tables of strawberry smoothies, cheesy fries, and free pizza, The Johnny Lingo Band reminded students about the raw power that music can harness. Every song - from the keyboard introduction to the underlying drum rolls behind chords - possesses a flow that feels completely natural, despite the uncommon pairing of instruments and independently-astounding exploration of vocal capabilities.

Hailing from Providence, R.I., The Johnny Lingo Band is the newly-lauched project of Johnny Lingo, who exploded onto the music scene in 2004 after winning 95.5 WBRU's Rock Hunt competition with his previous band, The Lingo. Already, this band has been making waves in the music pool. Just this year, Johnny Lingo was named "Best Male Vocalist of the Year" by the Providence Phoenix.

With a power as dynamic as that of The Johnny Lingo Band, listeners can be sure that the duo is not disappearing anytime soon. The simultaneous simplicity and complexity of their performance demands a response from listeners in a time when worn-out styles and recycled methods have become too common.



To learn more about The Johnny Lingo Band and to listen to songs from "Shake It Off," visit http://johnnylingoband.com or search the band's MySpace page. - Wheaton College - www.the wheatonwire.com