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What the PRESS are saying about Darius
Lux and 'Arise':
Darius Lux: Arise - Music Review
HOT
INDIE NEWS.com
By Michael Johnson
Date Published: January 11, 2008
"A lyrical voice that really draws you into the words and makes
you invest emotion because you can tell that he believes 110% in
his words.
The music is based in pop with some hip-hop and reggae influence.
You can certainly hear some blues and jam rock thrown into it as
well. All of these musical styles makes for one great CD and a whole
lot of awesome music. The songs on the CD are very inspirational
and spiritual without being specifically religious. I like that
the most I think. We need more music that is uplifting and clean
and Darius brings that out in spades.
Songs like "The Great Unknown", "Life Goes On"
and "World Keeps on Turnin" are about learning from your
own misdeeds, taking accountability for your actions and that no
matter what your life was in the past you can still pull yourself
up and be a good person, that the world is not over and will continue
to go on and to look at every moment as an experience.
A song that I specifically want to mention as a favorite of mine
is "Xtraordinary". I like this song because it says we
should take the time to look around us - that we can see miracles
in everyday things. The sunset, a flower.. everything. It's all
extra special in one way or another and we spend too much time in
the rat race looking at the unremarkable concrete jungle.
"Listen" and "Hey You" are standouts on the
CD. The lyrics are strong, music is well done and his voice shines
bright on both these tracks (as they do on every single song) and
these two songs, I think, could strike the right chord with a vast
audience as so many of us fail to listen to ourselves and let outside
influences guide us and in the end we neglect the things that mean
the most (or should anyway) to us.
It's a solid 9 and I recommend it to all. Especially parents as
the CD is 100% clean.
"an excessively talented one-man band..."
Jon Sobel.com
Darius Lux, an excessively talented one-man band, weaves textured,
hooky power pop into coruscating R&B with strong tenor vocals
and harmonies. It's a winning musical recipe.
"Xtraordinary" and "Every Single Moment" are
what used to be called radio-single worthy. So is the formulaic
"You Take My Breath Away." But every song on the CD boasts
skilled arrangements and hooks, from "World Keeps On Turnin"
with its tasteful acoustic guitar intro to the religio-political
hidden track at the end, and from the forceful power pop of "The
Great Unknown" to the spirited boy-band soul of "Life
Goes". The overall feel suggests Seal, or more currently, Marc
Broussard, and it's right up there in quality.
The Daily Vault
www.dailyvault.com
by JASON WARBURG
Album opener "The Great Unknown" starts out with Lux's
voice low and crystal clear, enunciating every word with elegant
precision.
Arise is no folk album, though. I'd call it inspirational rock'n'soul,
if anything: airy, hooky, melodic and ever-so-slightly funky, featuring
serious-minded lyrics that are sung with conviction. A cup of Ben
Harper, a dollop of Lenny Kravitz and a topped-off pint of Seal
and you've got the secret sauce for this rich blend. Adding to the
impressiveness of this debut is the fact that Lux crafted these
ten richly textured tracks almost completely solo, a true multi-instrumentalist
singer-songwriter-producer.
And indeed, it doesn't take long for "Unknown" to blossom
into an expansive full-band arrangement that lets Lux soars over
the top with forceful vocals that slip into falsetto at key moments.
"Life Goes On" bring a little funk into the intro before
sliding into a gentle acoustic groove that builds to a soaring,
affirming chorus. "Hey You!" is another standout track,
a rousing call to action with excellent singalong potential.
Lux lists Hendrix and Led Zeppelin among his many musical inspirations,
and while I don't hear it just about anywhere else, the rippling
electric guitar solo that lights up the bridge of the otherwise
light and acoustic "Natural Beauty" is surely descended
from these roots. Meanwhile, "The World Keeps On Turnin'"
melds Stevie Wonder idealism with a Seal-ish soulful-pop sheen.
Closer "Reach For The Stars" goes for a more urban sound
and nails it; this might actually be my favorite track here, with
its slinky, Prince-ly guitars and multi-layered vocals creating
a potent gospel-funk vibe.
I can report without reservation that Darius Lux crafts an appealing
sound and pours genuine emotion into these tunes. Definitely worth
checking out.
Soulful Edge
www.indiemusicstop.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 02:52 AM - CD Reviews
By Senior Writer C.W. Ross
Darius describes his music as, 'soulful rock-edged pop.' That sound
is achieved by mixing 60's songwriting, 70's soul, 80's pop, and
90's hip-hop music styles together.
Darius pulls on a wide range of influences to achieve this unique
mix of styles. He lists everyone from Stevie Wonder, James Brown,
Bob Marley and Coldplay to John Mayer, Kayne West, Led Zeppelin,
and Public Enemy as his musical influences.
There is a real soulful rhythm that runs throughout the release.
The lyrics are also upbeat and supportive. One of the main themes
is to realize the power we all have to control our own life. Along
with the need to sometimes just slow down and take a break and really
enjoy all of the wonders of this world.
While you'll find 10 listed tracks on Arise , there is also one
hidden track that I couldn't find the title of that is a tribute
to all of those who have gone before paving the way for what we
all have today. A tribute to, 'Mr. and Mrs. Freedom Fighter.'
One of the songs found on this release, "Every Single Moment"
has been selected as the theme song for the upcoming Indie movie,
"All Along"
Darius Lux mentions in his press material that his music's mission
is, 'to bring good vibrations, consciousness and some noise.' I
think that he's accomplishes that goal with Arise .
Featured Artist/MAY 07
www.Epitunes.com
"Darius Lux calls his music soulful, thoughtful, rockin, urban
pop and that is an apt description of his musical style. Darius
grew up bouncing between London and New York and that mix of cultures
clearly influences how he approaches songwriting.
His music is a melting pot of styles, 70s soul, 80s EuroPop, and
90s hip-hop with strong roots in traditional siner/songwriter fundamentals.
Contemporary influences include Maroon 5, John Mayer and Spearhead
but elements of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and even James Brown
can also be heard in Lux's music. You can hear his song 'XtraOrdinary"
on this week's epiTUNES Los Angeles Live Music Guide and catch him
performing tonight with his band at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood."
"Exciting and Fresh"
WLSO.FM
"Darius Lux is creating music that is exciting and fresh, no
three chord progression here. The real deal on a par with classic
rock artists yet fresh for today's discerning ears."
-Uncleshag, WLSO.fm
Come have a blast & make new friends at our next show!
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