Josh Roberts & The Hinges

…The more than 35,000 who reveled in the afternoon sunshine and ah-that’s-nice wind were treated with a balanced blend of rock, country and pop.
The most remarkable performance was the thrilling two-minute jam by Josh Roberts and the Hinges during “Janey.” Roberts traded guitar licks with Robert Walker, and the rhythm section of bassist Jim Taylor and drummer Matt Anderson coyly led the guitarists astray to create an intricate, imperfect collage.
Petrillo Relents’ Bill Stevens, who was in the crowd, summed it up best by saying, “You can’t argue with that.”…
By Otis R. Taylor 3/18/06 - The State Newspaper

It’s admittedly cliché to say Josh Roberts’ solo debut The Sugar Bird Test further makes sense out of the sudden breakup of his former band Captain Easy, but it’s a convincing departure from the classic AM-radio piano rock he wrote with Ryan Monroe. Here, Roberts is in full-on Americana territory, sounding remarkably similar to The Jayhawks or their Minnesota brethren, Soul Asylum. Also at work are the influences of yet another Minnesotan, Bob Dylan, though these are more subliminal manifestations.
The songs are feisty and freewheeling, a product of Roberts’ decision to cut much of the record live in the studio. Roberts and I recently talked passionately about that technique, offering examples of our favorite mis-cues in the rock n’ roll canon from the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” to Rod Stewart’s “Every Picture Tells a Story.” While we both agree there’s something to be said for being a meticulous studio band, the romantic appeal of capturing a rock moment prevails.
The Sugar Bird Test eloquently captures 11 of these moments, complete with backing vocals from Monroe, Danielle Howle and The South’s Nicole Hagenmeyer. In fact, the rest of Chris Conner’s newest alt-country project was, itself, recently holed up in the studio and opens this CD release show.
By Kevin Langston - The Free Times

From the opening guitar of "Why I Never Killed," the first track from The Sugar Bird Test, one can see that Josh Roberts came to rock. That catchy riff conjured up "Golden," by My Morning Jacket, but Roberts' chorus is a bit catchier. The first track is typical of most of the album, which seems to be structured around riff after ear-blowing riff and sing-along choruses with lines such as "We're doin' it slowly/16 months of foreplay/If we ain't wound up by now/I don't know if we'll wind." If you're looking for more reference points think Neil Young (with Crazy Horse), Son Volt and any other guitar-heavy, beer-battered rock.
The Hinges include Larry Gornto/drums and vocals, Robert Walker/guitar and Joey Wetzel/bass, with additional vocals for the album from Nicole Hagenmeyer, Ryan Monroe and Danielle Howle. I won't be tossing this album off like a battery run down any time soon. My top picks are "It's Never Enough," "Why I Never Killed" and "Slowly, 16 Months." And oh yeah, it sounds best played loud.
By Todd Mathis
- Step Out Of The Line Magazine

Former Captain Easy co-frontman Josh Roberts spread his solo wings with a rock, blues, folk and country album – with soul sprinkled on top. The record screams with earnest energy as Roberts, draped in Southern influences, rocks the real rock n’ roll.
By Otis R. Taylor
- The State Newspaper