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Peoplesound.com review, Europe's #1 music web site.

The superbly polished recorded material of US pop/rock outfit Wellville quite simply oozes class from every pore. ‘Radio-friendly’ would be something of an understatement in describing the commercial appeal of the unforgettable How Does It Feel, while Love You’s sincere declaration of devotion would win over even the hardest of hearts. Little Brat offers further proof of what most people who have heard the other tracks will already know - Liz Larizza is a supremely talented singer/songwriter and Wellville are destined for great things.

 

The Orlando Weekly - Sept.21-27, 2000 - by Todd Deery

Since the release of 1998's Happier Girl, Orlando's Wellville has been slowly growing beyond the confines of that album's spare folk stylings. The result of this evolution shows in their remarkable self-titled second album. Wellville displays a wide range of tasty pop-rock influences and more complex production and arrangements than any previous release. Singer Liz Larizza's velveteen vocals are sung over cherry Brit-pop, soaring guitar rock, and even slinky R&B. Mike Maurice's guitar and Pete Ornstein's restrained keyboards add washes of atmosphere throughout, and Larizza's ability to write memorable, bittersweet pop songs shows no sign of slowing down. The band also redid four songs from Happier Girl, transforming acoustic favorites like "Heaven Help Me" into proper rockers. Confident, complex and effortlessly catchy, Wellville shows the band pushing their folk-rock roots into a future that seems full of new sounds and possibilities

 

The Orlando Weekly - Orlando Music Awards Bio - October 2000 - By Sonja Monger

Wellville singer/ songwriter Liz Larizza mixes together a heartfelt concoction of feelings and soul-stirring situations: dealing with growing up, friends and even the occasional serial killer. Larizza credits Joni Mitchell as one of her major influences. "I like the way she said things, not being too poetic - [or] cryptic," says Larizza. It’s a songwriting style that has shifted from its folksy coffeehouse underpinnings as reflected on Wellville’s ’98 release, Happier Girl, to a poppier style on the September 2000 release, Wellville. Larizza credits that development to her current lineup of bassist Dave Kazyk and guitarist Mike Maurice. (The band is currently auditioning for a new drummer). "We have evolved that way with new members - more electric guitar," says Larizza. However, it’s Larizza’s simple, down-to-earth songwriting style that has been Wellville’s most bankable asset and a big part of the driving charm that’s made the band a favored Orlando Music Awards nominee for three years in a row. But Larizza isn’t waiting around to make her fame as the next downtown mainstay (brought home with her Heritage Square performance at the October opening). She’s discovered that her songwriting skills can provide more tantalizing opportunities outside the highly competitive rock landscape. For instance the upbeat title track to Happier Girl was licensed twice by Fox TV’s Party of Five and once by the WB for DC. Another song, "This Town," was also licensed to Fox for Party of Five. It is safe to say that TV has been good to Larizza and the inhabitants of Wellville. Other developments remain under wraps - Larizza doesn’t want to jinx any "major" interest. Surely, the band is being shopped aggressively while Larizza tends to the business of developing new material, recording and waiting for the next delightful twist in the plot.

Wellville’s final words: Liz: "Do you ever wonder about the passive role of a light socket? I mean ... do you have any picks on you?" Mike: "These monitors suck ... I need more guitar ... and vocals." Dave: "Um ... none, more black..." Robert: 'Hey guys, I got a song!!!??"