Press
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8/17/2008 Publication: Asburymusic.com (AUGUST 16, 2008 -- LAWRENCE, NJ) -- Just outside of Trenton, at McGuinn's Place, a bar that the band had played often throughout their career, The Commons played their final show on Saturday night in front of many of their long-time fans. 7/24/2008 Publication: The Princeton Packet If you’ve never met Kate and Joe, Emma Rae, John Somebody or the Gas Huffin Housewife, perhaps you should sit down and listen as their stories unfold. 6/30/2008 Publication: Two River Times By Uncle Mike
ASBURY PARK - The Fourth of July came early for the Jersey Shore music community in the guise of the third annual Wave Gathering.
12/27/2007 Publication: The Aquarian "American Ghost" makes 3 year end top 10 record lists!! 11/29/2007 Publication: Asbury Park Press Other than the occasional growl from the espresso machine in the back of the room, there was nothing to distract from the intimate acoustic performance by indie rocker Keith Monacchio of the band The Commons. 11/19/2007 Publication: "Quick Spins" The Kenosha (Wi) News I like a compilation put out for a good cause and "About A Girl" falls into that category. Released to bring attention (and funds) to the Pennsylvania Breat Cancer Coalition, this CD is chock-full of alternative bands covering their favorite songs with a girl's name in the title.
The Commons take on Elvis Costello's version, sometimes presenting a version that is eerily indistinguishable from the original. Dipsomaniacs dig up an obscure Material Issue track in "Something's Happened To Catherine" and Beretta 76 absolutely smokes AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie."
With twenty-one tracks in all, you're bound to find something you like. Discover your new favorite band and help out a worthy cause to boot.
10/23/2007 Publication: Blogcritics Magazine The New Jersey based folk-rock band The Commons have recently released their fourth full-length studio album American Ghost. 9/12/2007 Publication: The Aquarian - Shoreworld Column There are only a handful of groups that leave me perpetually scratching my head at the upturned noses of the music industry. 9/11/2007 Publication: Two River Times The Trenton, New Jersey based indie rock band The Commons celebrated the release of their fifth and perhaps their best full length recording, American Ghost, 9/7/2007 Publication: The Rag Anything that Keith Monacchio or The Commons has ever done was never meant to be background music. Their music is meant to be listened to. 9/5/2007 Publication: The Aquarian On American Ghost, songwriter Keith Monacchio
explores the post-9/11 malaise that has descended on this country.
9/4/2007 Publication: Jersey Beat A pleasingly gentle, soothing and arresting indie rock album that focuses on an intriguingly eccentric array of oddball folks who live on the fringes of America. 8/24/2007 Publication: The Trenton Times Keith Monacchio didn't set out to think like a woman.
8/23/2007 Publication: The Trentonian HAMILTON — Keith Monacchio was 9, in the supermarket with his mom, when he first heard Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years.”
He had to listen to what his older brothers were spinning in their bedroom to hear Bruce Springsteen for the first time.
8/21/2007 Publication: Blow Up Radio The Commons - "American ghost"
"American Ghost", the latest (and allegedly, last) album by Trenton, NJ's the Commons, is not a happy album...but that doesn't mean it's not good. What the Commons have done with this latest album is continued their tradition of melancholy storytelling in the way that Counting Crows did so well with their, "August & everything after" album, and Bruce Springsteen did with, "Nebraska". Will this album be as classic as those two? Only time will tell, but what I can say is that the 10 songs on this CD are very good, but even when the music gets upbeat, for instance on, "Kate & Joe", the lyrics remain less than optimistic. I joked with lead signer/songwriter, Keith Monacchio, that upon finishing listening to this CD I felt like slitting my wrists. He replied that he was still working on the happy lyric thing but he did point out that he sees, 'Hey Josephine', "as a happy love song. Even though the guy dies at the end."
8/10/2007 Publication: Upstage Magazine Some bands never make it out of the garage while others last a lifetime. 8/7/2007 Publication: AERIA Records "A brillant and essential addendum to the vernacular of recorded music.
Discerning listeners will luxuriate in this emotionally gripping, sonically
sensuous,and simply beautiful masterpiece. A dignified heart wrenching and
graceful finale from The Commons, the best band too many folks never heard,
bravo, bravo, bravo gentlemen.."
** A Gazillion Stars **
Colie Brice
AERIA Records
2/28/2007 Publication: Shoreworld Keith talks with John Pfeiffer about, the new record, comps, shows, all things Commons. 3/1/2006 Publication: New Noise (UK) Moviemakers such as John Hughes had their fingers on the pulse of teens in the '80s, producing a string of hits that, 1/26/2006 Publication: The Trentonian There's not much common about The Commons these days. 10/19/2005 Publication: Aquarian Weekly It's always good to see a Jersey band come through with a solid release. 9/30/2005 Publication: Radio Depaul Mmmm Dirt waffle. Tastes good with a side of bacon.
9/5/2005 Publication: Trenton Downtowner/Hamilton Post There are certain qualities to look for when picking out the lead singer of a local rock band in a crowd: a funky hairdo, perhaps a striking air of self confidence, or maybe even some sort of leather accessory. 9/4/2005 Publication: Upstage Magazine This time around the band has evened things out with a record that has a mixture of mellow tunes, rockers, and off-beat numbers that dare you to categorize them. 7/29/2005 Publication: NightHawks Sounds The musicianship on this record speaks for itself. These are very talented artists that need to be recognized.
7/25/2005 Publication: Jersey Beat The Commons really impressed me with an intense set of their blues-inflected rootsy rock (all older guys, this band played their hearts out like the room was full, not empty, and that's something I always respect.) 7/7/2005 Publication: Jersey Beat Magazine Yeah, baby, this be the real way gone get-down hip-rippin, pop-rock deal. 6/25/2005 Publication: Courier News The Commons have combed the indie landscape quite well with three full-length CDs, but its fourth...is their best. 6/24/2005 Publication: Trenton Times Keith Monacchio wants to make sure no CD by The Commons is, well, common. 6/22/2005 Publication: Upstage Magazine On Saturday, June 25th, The Commons, a Trenton-based rock band, will hold the CD release party for "Dirt Waffle" at McGuinns Place...Lead singer Keith Monacchio took some time out to answer a few questions with us about the new disc. 6/21/2005 Publication: The Aquarian Weekly Keith Monacchio has never had a problem with writing great songs, and his band's new album is the sum total of that statment. 1/14/2004 Publication: Night Hawk Sounds A fine, surprisingly hopeful effort from these five musicians. 9/24/2003 Publication: Splendid E-Zine Singers have thin skins and hate criticism. As The Commons' Keith Monacchio softly laments, "Treat me like china 'cos baby I'll break." He could be a Rosenthal bowl; nothing in this review should hurt him. |