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Maximumink.com
http://www.maximumink.com/index.php/articles/permalink/tom_fuller_band
To see Tom Fuller today one would never guess that little over ten years ago he was a solid cog in corporate America and had never written a song all the way through. From the streaked mod haircut to the purple granny glasses and matching sneakers Tom Fuller emanates rock and roll. Tamed danger prowling, the glam-punk poise echoing the bigger than life sound of his band a tight group both young and experienced, sharp and dedicated.
Ironically, after talking with Tom for over a half an hour the conversation was less about music than destiny and life’s spiritual journey. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that while Tom is the leader and songwriter for the Tom Fuller Band he is entirely self-taught beyond a few guitar lessons when he was nine. In fact, Tom says he’s a “song-crafter more than a writer.” “I write what I feel; my lyrics are always emotion-based.” His gut instinct guides him and serendipity has brought him an entourage of good fortune. “I know in the first twenty seconds if I’m going to like a song.” Immediate, intuitive and insistent, Tom also knows personalities and opportunities and has learned how to play them both with rock and roll nonchalance.
When asked how it all turned around for him, Tom has a precise date and story. Memorial Day 1998 his ten year old son was sick and when he was at the pharmacy picking up medicine he also picked up a guitar magazine and opened to an ad for a John Lennon Song-Writing contest. In trying to figure out the logistics of completing a song he connected with someone on the internet who then hooked him up to someone else in the business. Tom didn’t win the contest but, as he himself says, “a million baby steps later,” he has a band that has two albums to their name and a third one almost finished, a strong fan base in England and Ireland and gigs opening up for King’s X, Robin Trower, Blue Oyster Cult and a host of rock royalty.
A reedy voice perfect for the scratchy morning after rock-blues song that comes to life in a field of harmonies, Tom’s sleepy enunciations hide its sneers inside its psychedelic gaze. Cranking out riffs amid a barrage of hooks, Tom’s tooled tempests are hefty anchors while the ballads are elaborate interwoven melodies. While Tom claims, “you can’t control music,” he also admits he constantly tweaks it. “Melody is the most important,” Tom says, “but starting with a feeling and tapping into life,” is his guiding force. “Walk away from the should and woulds,” Tom advises, “be open to letting things happen, focus on what’s happening at the moment without concentrating on any particular destination.”
There is no denying his passionate attitude has produced results. As far as Tom is concerned dreams do come true. For more information, check out his website. www.tomfullerband.com or better yet catch the Tom Fuller Band July 11th at Beloit’s Riverfest.
Review by: John Noyd
ukmusicreview.com
http://www.ukmusicreview.com/reviews/tom-fuller-band-abstract-man
A follow-on to the chart-topping album CHASING AN ILLUSION, the Tom Fuller Band’s ABSTRACT MAN encompasses a range of melodic sounds, bringing a sense of excitement to the listener which should have even the most unlikely suspects tapping their foot to the beat!
Although labelled ‘classic rock’ I would classify the Tom Fuller Band as Stereophonics-like ‘pop rock’, and, comprising some elements of Brit pop, I can see British music fans lapping up the first single LOLLIPOP GUILD on its release on 16 March 2009.
American rock conjures up thoughts of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, and this being what the American audience is now used to, I can only imagine that Tom Fuller brings an entirely new type of rock to the fore. This seems to be just what his native American audience has been after as his ONLY IN AMERICA track has cracked the top 10 in US FMBQ Radio Chart AC Format (sharing the honour with Coldplay, Kid Rock and Maroon 5). This being what British listeners react well to, I predict fans flocking to music stores to buy ABSTRACT MAN (to be released 23 March 2009), with songs such as RADIO MAN, LOLLIPOP GUILD and SUNGLASS WARDROBE, displaying Brit pop influences and Beatles-reminiscent sounds, topping the charts in the UK.
Title track ABSTRACT MAN is a mixture of easy-to-follow tempo and abstract melody displaying highly talented guitar work, invoking images of a rocker on stage, with his guitar, totally lost in the music. MIDNIGHT PASS also lends itself to this typical rocker image and will no doubt get the crowd going in a big arena.
It’s something for any young band to attempt to cover a ‘golden oldie’ but Tom Fuller pulls this off magically with his version of The Hollies’ classic AIR THAT I BREATHE. Being very critical about cover songs, I have a theory that covers are only worthy of being compared to the original if they are so different that they are a song in their own right. I’m pleased to say that Tom Fuller has made his version of AIR THAT I BREATHE entirely his own, having injected the characteristics of his own style so much that one only realises its this song when he sings the chorus.
COLOUR OF THE WIND is a lovely, slow melody, ideal for fans who enjoy singing along to a good ballad, followed well by TOMORROW MORNING which injects a ‘country’ feeling into the album. These two songs and FRANKLIN STREET illustrate that the Tom Fuller Band is not only about upbeat pop rock, but also lends itself to slower, more intimate melodies. Crowd pleasers at small venues, I’m sure.
Tom Fuller, who wrote most of the songs on the album, says “when I write a rock song it takes on a life of its own”. This is clear throughout the album where each song is an entity of its own but links in with the next, allowing the album to highlight the characteristic sounds of the Tom Fuller Band, comparable to the Stereophonics on first hearing, but coming into its own thereafter.
The band hit the road in the summer of 2008, playing gigs across the US, supporting great rock bands such as the Blue Oyster Cult, and they will be touring the UK, and probably basing themselves here, in 2009. This will be the band’s second UK tour, having played at venues such as Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club during their first visit this side of the Atlantic. Listen out for tour dates and venues.
Review by: Tamlyn Head
Getreadytorock.com
http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2009/quick_play0109.htm
TOM FULLER BAND Abstract Man Mesa/Bluemoon Records (2008) www.tomfullerband.com
This is the second album by Tom Fuller and his band whose new album gets released via a label more known for its jazz releases. But the music on this album has a more Beatles vibe with the odd psychedelic touch here and there.
'Sunglass Wardrobe', a lovely pop tune with a touch of the psychedelic, featuring some great harmony parts. 'Radio Man' with its instant chorus and cheery guitar lines is a song made for airplay as is the ultra catchy refrain of 'Lollipop Guild'. This could be the Beatles meets Cheap Trick!
Tom Fuller and co. also tackle and produce a wonderful version of the Hollies' classic 'Air That I Breathe'. 'Dragon Fight' sees Tom Fuller sound like the lead singer in the Stereophonics!
In fact the whole song sounds like a mid tempo Stereophonics number. The album does slightly lose its way midway through and could do with a bit of uptempo music to keep it going although the acoustic refrain of 'Franklin Street' is a great end to the album.
Well played and produced this album will appeal to lovers of pop/melodic rock with a Beatles hint in the sound. It is also a set of tunes I know will grow on me more with each play. ***½
Review by Jason Ritchie
Fireworks Magazine
http://www.myspace.com/fireworks_magazine
*TOM FULLER BAND - ‘ABSTRACT MAN’ */(Redcap Records/Mesa Blue Moon)/
Chicago native Tom Fuller’s follow up to his debut ‘Chasing An Illusion’
issued in 2005, comes in the form of ‘Abstract Man’, a well crafted and
enjoyable fourteen song collection which demonstrates, in my opinion,
something for everybody. The full back story to the album can be found
in my interview with Tom elsewhere in this issue, but suffice to say,
for someone who has only spent a relatively short amount of time in the
business and this is only his second record, there’s some astonishingly
consistent quality throughout.
Kicking off with the breezy ‘Radio Man’, it’s a great laid back yet
vibrant tune which would be a perfect song to play with the top down
during a summer afternoon. The new single, the bouncy ‘Lollipop Guild’
follows suit with an infernally catchy chorus and some cool guitar
flourishes. The title track offers an acoustic lead line underpinned by
a thumping bass before you’re hit by a glorious chorus. Also noteworthy
is a marvellous re-working of the Hollies classic ‘The Air That I
Breathe’. Tom’s cover of this is a convincing rearrangement which makes
it sound like a Tom Fuller song and is a perfect fit with the thirteen
original tracks.
Rather than talk about every track, I’ll just say there’s nothing filler
on offer. Well worth mentioning though is the superb ‘Only In America’ -
it offers a retro intro which comes straight from the sixties, but
sounds modern, rocking and relevant, thanks to Rick Chudacoff’s vibrant
production work. It also features the best chorus on the album which
comes and goes so quick, you can’t wait for it to come back around. If
you’re smart, you’ll go to Tom’s website www.tomfullerband.com
http://www.tomfullerband.comand download it for free. I guarantee
it’ll be in your head after one listen.
I wonder what album number three will be like?
James Gaden
Rockahead.com
http://www.rockahead.net/reviewpage.php?rev=751
Like many people I am always wary when someone trumpets
an artist as the next big thing and so it was when the Tom
Fuller Band album Abstract Man fell through my letterbox.
I have to say that from the first track Radio Man I was
pleasantly surprised. The sound is definitely modern but
also retro and has a very warm feel. The great thing about
this album is that is real songs performed by real musicians.
The songs also have a very familiar sound to them and that
doesn’t mean that they are derivative merely that they
grab you straight away which from a new artist is pretty
impressive.
I have to say that I have been completely unfamiliar with the Tom Fuller Band previously despite the fact that the band have already performed a tour of the UK but I do fully intend to catch them the next time they pass through my hometown and I suggest that you do the same.
As for the other songs on the album, the single Lollipop Guild has a very Lennonesque feel to it and that is no bad thing in my book.
The songs throughout this album could all have been singles including a great cover of the Albert Hammond song The Air That I Breathe but really the hook is there on every one of the songs on this album and live these songs must just sound great.
Ultimately my favourites on this album are the opener Radio Man, Lollipop Guild and the title track Abstract Man but generally there isn’t one track on this album that I don’t like. It is just that those three tend to come up more frequently on my i-Pod.
If there is any justice in the world then The Tom Fuller Band will certainly make a mark and this album will really be the one that kicks things off for them in a big way. The band has already toured the UK and in all probability gave Blue Oyster Cult and Blues Traveller a real run for their money towards the end of 2008. You will certainly see more of the Tom Fuller Band in 2009 and hopefully headlining their own gigs.
The Daily News
Jeffrey Sisk with The Daily News ran a positive review saying:
“Abstract Man is a 14-track collection of rasdio-friendly pop tunes that explode out of the speaker…” Paul Zimmerman with First Coast News also ran a great review saying “From the electronics of ‘Radio Man,’ to the absolutely brilliant cover of ‘Air That I Breathe,’ Abstract Man proves itself to be one gargantuan sounding ultra-mega cool rock and roll record.”
Powerplay Review:
Rocksound Review:
CRS Review:
firstcoastnews.com
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=123739
Chicago based rocker Tom Fuller may be an abstract man but
that doesn't mean he's hard to understand. In fact, that
precarious balance of the accessible and esoteric is the
very fuel on which his artistic engine runs.
Fuller's second album, Abstract Man is anything but complicated;
it's an album that melds classic rock and a lot of melodicism
which results in something that sounds like Liam Gallagher
fronting The Heartbreakers if they were from Liverpool.
Abstract Man has huge choruses, rootsy rock riffs and a
kaleidoscopic view of the world that's both uplifting and
fun to listen to. This is an album that starts out big and
just gets bigger and bigger; it's stadium rock for your
living room that's as suitable for waving a lighter as it
is playing air guitar to.
With his Liam Gallagher drawl, Tom Fuller hisses his way
through every song as if he were playing in front of 50,000
people and the songs react with sounds coming out of every
possible direction. From horns, guitars, pianos, and just
about anything else he could squeeze into a song, Fuller
makes each of the songs on Abstract Man sound as if they
were scientifically tested in front of an enormodome audience
for maximum impact. From the electronics of "Radio
Man," to the absolutely brilliant cover of "Air
That I Breathe," Abstract Man proves itself to be one
gargantuan sounding ultra-mega cool rock and roll record.
Tom Fuller may paint himself as an Abstract Man but when
you chip away at what makes the man work, it's a simple
sense of what a great rock and roll song actually is and
how best to go about writing them. He's done a good job
of writing fourteen songs that stay true to that philosophy
on this record. If your searching for just a good old fashioned
rock and roll album or wonder what would happen if Oasis
were American, than Tom Fuller's Abstract Man will fill
the need and answer the question quite nicely.
by Paul POP!, First Coast News
groundcontrolmag.com
http://groundcontrolmag.com/detail/3/1216/
Around 1990, before Nirvana came along and totally reset the mainstream taste so that a song wasn't cool if it didn't have one edgy sentiment in it or another, rock radio was a generally sunnier, happier place. The going was lighter as tales of partying (typified by Motley Crue), girls and baked goods (Warrant), overcoming odds on spiritual belief (Bon Jovi), more girls and more partying (Beastie Boys) and vacuous but good-hearted, malicious fun (Slaughter, Van Halen, Quiet Riot, KISS, Aerosmith and Poison among a multitude of others) were the norm and, thanks to the older hands at the game like Paul McCartney and Tom Petty, even love was starting to make a comeback and people still got off on classic rock too. It's one of those things that the pop recycler remembers but is not popular for rock to admit. Tom Fuller and his band remember though.
From the very beginning of Tom Fuller Band's sophomore effort, Abstract Man, the group kicks down walls and lets crooked rays of sunshine (both solar and liquid forms) cut the dusty air of rooms left long vacant by pop music and begins exploring to see what hidden treasures they might be able to salvage. After electronic percussion simultaneously updates Beatles-esque pop and paints an eerily vivid and synthetically bright panorama of American park life ('Radio Man'), the group discovers Lennon's strawberry fields on the interior populated with the residents of Oz ('Lollipop Guild') and maintained by an otherworldly girl with eyes so bright she's gotta wear shades ('Sunglass Wardrobe'). Needless to say, in their excavations of AM-ready pop, Tom Fuller and his cohorts willingly allow themselves to be overtaken by the strains and don't exactly try to filter the extrasensory overload; images and references bleed together and it doesn't exactly seem like they're in control of what they're doing (that would explain the delirium of the title track buttressed by Hendrix-esque interstellar guitars of 'Air That I Breathe') and is willingly letting their chemical muse be their guide while catering to its whims.
As the record progresses, the band turns its flashlights onto other twisted and discarded scraps of brilliance ('Dragon Fight' sounds like the most polished, breathtaking pop number that T.Rex never wrote while Fuller finds redemption in the things left unsaid 'Between The Lines') in the abandoned pop SRO and makes them their own. Each time, Fuller marvels at his luck as he holds up each track during their opening notes as if to scream 'Eureka!' before happily digging through and seeing what new borrowed ideas he can attach to an old form. With the band?s ethereal delivery, he makes his listeners do the same thing because as the stage gets set for each track, no one reasonably expects the same thing to work again – how could it? But it does; for fourteen tracks, the Tom Fuller Band revives the dead ends left by forty years of pop music-making and turns them all to gold. Abstract Man's existence is proof that one band's trash can be another band's treasure if they love it enough.
Bill Adams
groundcontrolmag.com
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www.rockfreaks.net
http://www.rockfreaks.net/index.php?page=albumreviews&id=1275
Chicago-based singer/songwriter Tom Fuller created a buzz in his hometown already on his debut "Chasing An Illusion", a largely balladic pop/melodic rock album, and now he has expanded the formula to much bigger soundscapes and smooth electric guitar licks on "Abstract Man", an album any pop rock fan who despises the boring mainstream rock bands should get his hands on.
Mr. Fuller himself plays simple, but warm acoustic guitar on all songs, allowing him to focus mainly on his soulful vocal delivery, the highlight of this album. His support band takes care of peaceful drumming, the occasional jazzy electric guitar stabs and other sound effects, which adds a nice, relaxed atmosphere to the music without taking the spotlight away from the vocals.
Fuller shows he can sing ultra-poppy powerpop ("Sunglass Wardrobe") equally well as solid arena rock ("Only In America"), effectively making "Abstract Man" a nicely diverse album that offers all sorts of styles for the listener. You'll find acoustic ballads in equal proportion to mainstream-ish pop rock songs and classic rock pieces. Even so, the songs can all be classified as 'soulful', meaning they are full of emotion, the characterizing trait of nearly all singer/songwriter music, the one quality that fortifies the word 'enjoyable' throughout the album. The choruses are made out of pure gold, although it often takes several repeat listens before one starts truly appreciating them. Once they open up, however, you'll find choruses that by all logic should one day be referred to as 'seminal', for so easy are they to sing along and to enjoy. Some of them have parallels to the famous Oasis ballads, mainly because of Fuller's tendency to sing in the same scratchy voice as Gallagher, while the rest you can't really associate with any particular act.
For what it's worth, "Abstract Man" offers a nice escape from either the heavy or the emo-pop oriented music world most of us live in today. The album clings to no particular genre or scene, instead focusing on great songs and intriguing lyrics. This is something all too many bands are missing these days: Tom Fuller and his band are one of the most refreshing musical experiences you'll hear all year. |
