Press

November 15th, 2006

MOST INTRIGUING DISCS OF 2006 - THE ONION "With all the craft of a consummate songwriter, John Common builds songs that dig beneath thick skins and lazy thinking. He deconstructs them with the abandon of a mad scientist, resulting in a disc that's as rich in texture as it is drenched in tenderness."

-- THE ONION

November 8th, 2006

"It would be much too easy to use John Common's last name as a pun to describe his 'uncommon' skills as a singer-songwriter, but what the hell."

-- SANTE FE REPORTER

September 1st, 2006

"A rich mix of samples, guitars, and lyrical intensity in a quieter version of 'Bends'-era Radiohead or the missing step in Wilco's leap from 'Being There' to 'Summerteeth'. The music is complex and innovative without sacrificing catchy hooks or raw energy in a wide range of styles and tempos."

-- COLORADO MUSIC BUZZ

September 1st, 2006

"Raw, yet sophisticated pop."

-- THE ONION

June 9th, 2005

"Common has trafficked in a wide-skied Americana since his days in the celebrated roots-rock combo Rainville. His new outfit (appearing Thursday, June 9, at Bender's Tavern, with the Ants and Reserved 16) is harder to pin down. Drawing as much from Radiohead and Yo La Tengo as it does from Wilco and the Jayhawks, the group folds elegant melody into brooding experimentalism -- an epic, adventurous sound." -- Hit Pick

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-- WESTWORD MAGAZINE

August 18th, 2009

It always comes in threes.  In order to conduct a successful conspiracy you need the triple threat.  The song plus the film equals "The Collaboration".  For the first time local filmmakers are given the opportunity to creatively contribute to the cause....

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-- Examiner / Danny Diaz

October 18th, 2006

"Denver's John Common has cracked the code of modern-day songwriting and delivered us something surprisingly refreshing... "Good To Be Born," is full of energy, passion, creativity, variety, personality and most importantly, sounds you've never heard before. He is a damn good songwriter."

-- KCSU MUSIC DIRECTOR / ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGIAN

September 1st, 2006

"There are songs that make me want to drink till morning you see... Songs that make me wish I'd somehow gone home with that handsome stranger who smiled when I looked up from my book... Songs that make me want to be loud and messy and get into lots of trouble, when normally I am quiet and neat and only get into medium amounts of trouble... Songs I've caught myself putting on repeat when it's 2 am and I have to wake up at 6..."

-- A GIRL

April 12th, 2004

Fans of the alt-country genre should at least give Collecting Empties a listen - fans of Tom Waits or Neil Young might, too. Imagine for a moment that you've been driving an old beat-up pickup all day long. Driving down a desolate rural road, you are headed back toward the city. You are close enough to the city to begin to feel you are home, yet rural enough to feel just out of place...

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-- Solitary Sinners