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New Music Critique: Tom Ciurczak

Production7
Lyrics8
Music8
Vocals7
Musicianship8
7.6

Contact: [email protected]
Web: tomciurczak.com
Seeking: Label, Film/TV
Style: Rock, Americana

Artist Tom Ciurczak is a crafty songsmith backed by a well-oiled band, and he has learned well from masters such as Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle. In fact, The Boss looms heavily in “Winter Highland Falls,” an amiable tune whose climax swells with a sax solo, bells and percussion. Ciurczak shifts to a poetic/troubadour mode on “Mine Torn Road,” which is highlighted by a sombre piano. He then shows his grittier side in the defiant “Ishmael” as a folksy fiddle lends an historic Americana air to his imagery. Despite his strengths, this artist’s voice––his key instrument––too often has a demo quality to it. And he tends to under-enunciate his lyrics. We suggest he try a beefier, better balanced sound mix.