"...steeped in 70's rock and roll...These are SONGS WITH SOMETHING TO SAY...The Modern Relics kick out some nice songs..."    Jon Worley, Aiding & Abetting

 

"...note the irony behind the freshness The Modern Relics bring the contemporary music listener...gorgeous vocals...the likeable tongue-in-cheek cynicism behind the lyrics...are deserving of a much wider audience...The Modern Relics have succeeded admirably...a CD full of gems...cynical humor makes 'Phonograph' a fun and mature release...For a refreshing and talented group, you cannot do better than the likeable work of The Modern Relics..."   

Bill Whiting-Mahoney,  Buffalo State Record

 

"The  brain child of Tony Darling, The Modern Relics release – Phonograph is a trip back to the ‘60s and ‘70s that’s well worth the trip. POP, POP, POP!   This disc is full of it! Pop music that is! The Modern Relics really sell the retro experience with this release.

Let’s see, there is: the psychedelic CD Artwork, the title itself ("Phonograph"), thanks in the CD jacket to Chicago area Saturday morning shows from the ‘70s (i.e. Ray Rayner, Frazier Thomas of Garfield Goose, Bill Jackson of B. J. and Dirty Dragon, and our beloved Bozo, Bob Bell), and even
record needle clicks and pops at the beginning of one of the tracks. "Phonograph" is pop story telling filtered through an H.R. Pufnstuf episode!

Tony Darling’s voice is unique and his own. It’s not often I hear a vocal styling that isn’t modeled after a more famous voice. I applaud Mr. Darling for that. The use of acoustic guitar throughout the CD is rather refreshing as well, adding a“singer/ songwriter” feel to whole disc.

“Another Song (about boy meets girl)”  sums up what most of us feel when we have that sugar-sweet story shoved down our throats via television and radio on a daily basis. The rhythm section (he uses a large stable of players) here is quite notable.

Another fantastic story hits us on “Every Single Day,” this time of small town fears and dreams. This song was very reminiscent of the “Bertolt Brecht” songwriting that The Doors experimented with. A true pop gem is “Marina.”  Great song arrangement and hooks.

This band reminds me of the overlooked ‘70s band, Crack the Sky.  They embodied the same cynicism and juxtaposition that is The Modern Relics’ tongue-in-cheek strength.

Visit their website (www.modernrelic.com), where you can sample and then
purchase this fine pop collection of cartoon injected tunes."

Jon Rice - Midwest Beat Magazine