Robert German

Artist: Robert German

CD: Sirens of Brooklyn

Home: New York City

Style: Folk/Pop

Quote: "He’s in that marshy land between folk, pop and cabaret – too hip to be folk, too deep to be pop and too real to be cabaret but somehow a little of each."

By Jamie Anderson

He’s a folk-pop artist with an expressive tenor who doesn’t shy from sharp retorts and stark images but still reveals his heart in an unashamed way. It’s all fueled with an Ani Difranco guitar sensibility and even some scatting that’s similar to her trumpet-like phrasing carefully fitted in the places between words. He’s in that marshy land between folk, pop and cabaret – too hip to be folk, too deep to be pop and too real to be cabaret but somehow a little of each.

There are wry pick-up songs like “Follow Me Home” and biting commentary like “Marlboro Man.” (“You hold all the cards but I don’t wanna play.”) “Lemon Scented” is quirky in a Rufus Wainwright kinda way. Some cool beat box accents “Well Formed Man,” and I’ll bet that one brings him a few luscious dates with a line like “Ain’t nothing better than a well formed man.” Come over here, sailor.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s “Fishnet Sailor” where he whispers “I’m going sailing.” “Follow” is different, using a more straight ahead folky guitar to explain a woman’s melancholy existence. “Walking Song” features vivid metro scenes. There’s a beat like a heartbeat that eerily accompanies the sour “This Too Shall Pass.” The title cut has one of the best opening lines I’ve ever heard

You left my ass in Arizona with fifteen bucks and half a Corona
Needless to say I’m feeling down

Then he goes on his merry bitter way. The jazzy “Before You Go” could be the last words to the dumper, but he confesses that he still loves the guy.

Singer-songwriters don’t need therapists, they write songs. Their process could be our uh-huh moment. There’s lots of uh-huhs here. - Indie-Music.com

Robert German – Sirens of Brooklyn There is no defined box to check that would adequately characterize the music of Robert German. A touch of folk, a liberal smattering of jazz, a hint of pop, a dash of the blues and just a taste of soul are just a few of the many ingredients that make up the delectable concoction that is Robert German’s new album Sirens of Brooklyn. Bold, unique and decidedly brave are the terms that immediately came to mind after my first listen to Sirens of Brooklyn because this is an album that throws expectation out of the window and dares to rely on its individuality rather than its similarity to succeed. It’s not often that you hear unabashedly heartfelt music or provocatively emotional lyrics in a world where ‘the hook’ is all-important and the term ‘radio-friendly’ is the primary gauge for selecting the tracks that will fill out an album, but Robert German’s Sirens of Brooklyn is definitely the exception to the rule. Opening with the folksy “Follow Me Home” and its almost nostalgic nod to the genius of Paul Simon in his heyday, Sirens of Brooklyn continues down a winding path that takes listeners on a journey through jazzy, R& B infused tracks like “Well Formed Man” and “This Too Shall Pass” that would be worthy of neo soul artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott to acoustic, testosterone-inspired tracks like “Marlboro Man” and “Hiding From Your Pain”. Through it all, the most endearing aspect of this album is its ability to translate the experiences that many of us as gay men have experienced through musical repertoires that have generally heretofore only been sympathetic to the emotional currents of heterosexual relationships. And that is perhaps German’s great charm and selling point. Sirens of Brooklyn is an honest and poignant album that will take you on a rollercoaster of sentiments, the likes of which many of us ought to consider before we “dive into the pool” if you know what I’m sayin’. After all, there’s nothing wrong with thinking before you leap. One of the most pleasant surprises of the year, Sirens of Brooklyn is the “new most brilliant”. Period. And you can quote me on that. ©365Gay.com 2006 - 335Gay.com

These are excellent songs;
my favorite is Walking Song, but they all have a great sense of combining old school singer songwriter traits with contemporary production and sensibility. Think of Bob Dylan's "talking blues" songs updated for 2007, and you'll be close. There's a tangible sense of humor here that's refreshing, but not at the expense of the song. If you like Great American Music you should check this out.
-Jerry Jodice, Great American Music Hour - Great American Music Hour

An effectively eclectic mix of folk-inspired storytelling Robert German’s debut album, Sirens of Brooklyn, offers twelve songs all written, produced and performed by the exceedingly talented twenty-eight-year-old. The spoken-word feel of the first number, “Follow Me,” only hints at the original listening experience to come, with the free-flowing and wordy “Walking Song” soon fulfilling the promise made by his “Marlboro Man,” the iconic breakout single used to promote the DVD release of Brokeback Mountain. If German’s experimental, avant-garde approach to such memorable entries as “Well Formed Man” makes audience take notice his more melodic moments, like “Hiding from Your Pain,” “Follow” and the oddly sexy “Fishnet Sailor,” prove his limitless potential. Look for Robert German’s sensational Sirens of Brooklyn to be released Tuesday, November 14 from Pigeonhole Records. - EXP Magazine

A great part of Robert's genius
is his ability to generate sounds that you can't quite put your finger on, whether it be by contorting his vocal chords or by banging spoons together. Combining this aural richness with his manifest capacity for crafting a strong melody makes for an engaging listen unlike anything else being produced right now.
-Ryan Norbauer,Lovetastic.com< - Lovetastic.com

His well-crafted lyrics
are simultaneously satirical and poignant. Delivering vocals that spring from Louis Armstrong to Tori Amos, this young composer sings, scats, strums, and satisfies an audience looking to warm their pop-folk souls.

Grace Moon,VelvetPark Magazine - Velvet Park Magazine