| |
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!!!??"
|
