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Sunday, July 06, 2008

The Alligators in the news and reviews!

Alan and the Alligators
Reptile Rock
Instant Earthling Music
This group has been together since 1989, and they're a tight outfit, playing straight-ahead pop-rock. Goodrich, who reports that he was in the "Buzzwell Street Band" while at BU, sings, plays drums, and co-wrote most the songs. Amid love songs like "Ain't Comin' Home" and "I Can See Forever," Alan and the Alligators find time for humor with the catchy "Turtle The Bug Eater," and mid-way through the CD, "This Is The Point," an a capella ditty: "This is the point at which / In the old days / You'd have to be flipping / The record."
--by Taylor McNeil from the Spring 2001 issue of Bostonia Magazine.

ALAN & THE ALLIGATORS live at Mickee's (Billerica, MA.) 8/23/02
Rock is still alive! Alan & his Gator guy's draw heavy influence in their originals from '70s and'80s. You know, back when music was happy. They perform their catchy single "No Deposit No Return" off their CD Reptile Rock. They are playing well as a trio ... Also, guitarist Erik Ringstad plays his heart out in the best cover of "Honky Tonk Woman" I have ever heard. This guy is one of the best out there ... Great band ...
--by Sue O. from the October 2002 issue (#225) of "The Noise" Magazine.

Alan and the Alligators
Reptile Rock
Instant Earthling Music
In typical power trio fashion the Alligators take tips from bands like Triumph and Rush and carve out a collection of rocking numbers that are distinctly their own. Drummer Alan Goodrich leads the vocal attack with an Ian Anderson flair while guitarist Erik Ringstad is kept busy with fretboard hooks that also maintain a medieval flair. Meanwhile bassist Jon Steinberger (great name for a bassist, heh?) helps to lead the charge with his driving bass lines solidifying this stout power trio. Best cuts are the catchy album opener "No Deposit, No Return," the countrified blues of "Ain't Comin' Home," the rollicking "You Make Me Crazy," and the stellar guitar piece "Waiting."
--by Douglas Sloan from the March 2001 issue of "Metronome Magazine."

Alan and the Alligators
Reptile Rock
Instant Earthling Music
Originally formed by Alan Goodrich and some friends in 1989, Alan and the Alligators have gone through numerous incarnations over the years, but since 1995 they've been a trio rounded out by Erik Ringstad and Jon Steinberger. Although the band has been together now for over 11 years, Reptile Rock marks their recording debut. While elements of funk, R&B and blues show up throughout the disc, the overall sound here is straight-ahead rock, that to me bears a strong resemblance to Nils Lofgren's solo work, performed both electric and acoustic with some very tasty instrumentation. In addition to having well-crafted tunes like the ultra-catchy "Ain't Comin' Home" and the fun, good-natured "Turtle The Bug Eater" the musicianship here is top-notch with intricate guitar work and driving bass. Other highlights include the Lennon-esque "I Can See Forever (In Your Eyes)" and the beautiful acoustic cut "Wave On The Water" ...
--by Geoff Melton on the webzine "The Music Korner" (www.members.aol.com/musccorn) February, 2002

ACOUSTIC ALLIGATORS live at Scioletti's (Hudson, MA.) 6/14/03
I was interested to hear this alternate, unplugged version of Alan & the Alligators. I know they can pull off their louder, more aggressive live act, but this was to be an encounter unlike any other. It's one thing to hear a band do an acoustic version of their music, it's another to hear it done in such a way that the song has a completely different format. I am not just talking about a song being played slower, but a song that can be set to anything. When you hear the song rockin' out on their CD, and then hear it acoustically, it could be folk, country, easy listening, whatever. It doesn't have to fit into any particular genre with these guys. I think I like this version of their live show better, because it allows the audience to think. Alan's smooth voice and universally appealing lyrics can be set to any tune you have running through your head, and I know the audience was humming along. It's nice to feel mellow and mentally enlightened and have it be legal. Groovy.
--by Sue O. from the July/Aug. 2003 issue (#233) of "The Noise" Magazine.

Alan Goodrich and his longtime band the Alligators, have released a fine 15 song CD, "Reptile Rock." Led by the jazz-trained Alan on lead vocals and drums, Erik Ringstad on guitars and Jon Steinberger on bass, the trio has chops to spare but they make sure those chops don't get in the way of the masterfully crafted songs. Touching on rock, funk and jazz, "Reptile Rock" delivers the goods!

Singer-songwriter Alan Goodrich plays a "hybrid" drum kit during his acoustic "gator" gigs and it's a unique sound that sets these shows apart and must be heard live to be appreciated. Alan also plays acoustic guitar and handles the vocal chores on his original numbers and really shines on tunes like the ballad "I Can See Forever In Your Eyes" and "Every Day."
-- Bruce Marshall - Toy Caldwell/Marshall Tucker Band and The Bruce Marshall Group.