Quotes from the Press
Classic influences but no nostalgia...these guys are fresher than most of what gets passed off as 'new' these days. I've always been able to hear the goodness at the heart of The Steepwater Band. All the nuance of the recording, performance and songwriting can be found on Grace and Melody. They're in their finest form yet.
~ Richard Milne | WXRT Radio, Chicago
Every record is better than the former, and they always maintain an evolution within the American roots rock. For the moment we can only wonder when they will reach the top of their abilities. Marah and Drive-By Truckers have been dethroned. Everybody stand up to salute their new majesties: THE STEEPWATER BAND.
~ Santino | Solo-Rock.com
Everything about GRACE AND MELODY has the feel of natural born rockers determined to get everyone's rocks off. Producer Marc Ford does clean, endlessly effective work here, bringing his years of experience with The Black Crowes and others, allowing individual elements to shine – a groin throbbing bass run, the blue water purr of electric slide. This is the abounding whomp of a band that's always been very good, teetering on the edge of greatness. And by album's end I'd be surprised if you weren't rooting for them to topple all the way into full blown glory.
~ Dennis Cook | Jambase.com
Crackling with gritty energy and featuring strikingly direct lyrics, Grace And Melody demonstrates that Steepwater Band is a group with a considerable amount of depth and nuance…most notably the intriguing twin-guitar romp through the 13+ minute, "Waiting To Be Offended," which is vibrant yet clutter-free. Grace And Melody is certainly worth diving into.
~ Rob Turner | Hittin' The Note Magazine
Grace And Melody hints of previous Steepwater Band records, but continues the band's evolution. The songwriting is growing in directions that keep the band attached to the history of rock and roll while they actively expand it. Massey, along with bassist Tod Bowers and drummer Joe Winters, continue to impress as one of rock's shining lights.
~ John Heidt | Vintage Guitar Magazine
Grace And Melody continues the evolution; the record has an updated '70s vibe and the whole album works if you ever wondered what the Faces might sound like in the 21st Century.
~ Mike O'Cull | Illinois Entertainer
Jeff Massey’s dirty sounding, masterful slide work reminded me of Exile On Main Street era Stones. The band's sound is firmly entrenched in the roots of the blues; however they also up the ante by throwing tinges of psychedelia and country into the mix and the sound is absolutely massive and in your face at all times.
~ Ryan Sparks | Classic Rock Revisited
The Steepwater Band…whose album Grace & Melody sounds like the bastard love children of Weller, Ocean Colour Scene and The Bluetones. Everything on Grace & Melody sounds perfect, the instruments just scream (tastefully, naturally)…
~ Dave Saunders | The Dreaded Press
If Janis Joplin and Ronnie Van Zant were booking a band to play on a serene summer night and the Allman Brothers were unavailable, it would without question be The Steepwater Band.
~ Mack Rawden | Cinema Blend Music
Not only do these longhairs know their Johnny Winter and their Johnnie Walker, they sure as shootin' dish it out in a nuclear hoedown of dirty fuzztone lead and slide guitar riffs.
~ Creem Magazine
In a time when old-fashioned rock and roll is coming back in style, The Steepwater Band is a cut above the rest of the field.
~ Pop Culture Press
This band has traveled a long and winding musical road. From the Delta to the electrified blues of Chicago, across the Atlantic to the blues-inspired rock of the Stones, Zeppelin and Free before making their way back through the Texas roadhouses.
~ Bluesbunny.com, United Kingdom
Grace and Melody Reviewed in Vintage Guitar Magazine
It is easy to dig The Steepwater Band, and on this, their fourth studio record, the Chicago trio steps it up a notch with the help of producer Marc Ford, whose tenure with The Black Crowes produced some of the band's best music.
While it's usually difficult to define with a producer does, here Ford's input seems obvious. Guitarist Jeff Massey decorates the album with great playing throughout, starting with "At The Fall Of The Day," a stomping rocker with a great riff and sound. By the time Massey's half-wahed solo breaks out, the listener is very aware they're in for a treat...[read the whole review here]
G&M Reviewed in Hittin' The Note Magazine
"Crackling with gritty energy and featuring strikingly direct lyrics, Grace and Melody demonstrates that Steepwater Band is a bluesed-based rock group with a considerable amount of depth and nuance. This may be due in part to the wizened oversight or producer Marc Ford; the veteran guitarist first met the band at a festival in Spain and now has guided them to an impressive and inspiring release. Ford even dons a guitar for a few tracks, most notably..." [read the whole review here]
G&M Reviewed on JamBase.com
"Everything about Grace And Melody (released November 26 on Diamond Day) has the feel of natural born rockers doggedly focused on making a solid musical impact, the broad, hearty stride of men determined to get everyone's rocks off. It takes an album like this to make one appreciate where dedication to the basics, tweaked ever so nicely, can be just as satisfying, if not more so, than endless innovation..." [read the whole review at JamBase]
G&M Reviewed in Illinois Entertainer
Review by Mike O'Cull
"Chicago's Steepwater Band has been playing a blend of blues, boogie, and psychedelia around the world since 1998, progressing from basic blues to an original sound that incorporates more songwriting and classic rock influences. Grace And Melody continues the evolution; produced by ex-Black Crowes guitarist and Grammy winner Marc Ford, the record has an updated '70s vibe and, although it has a strong blues influence, aspires to a rock audience. "Lord Knows" and "The Healer" stand out, but the whole album works if you ever wondered what the Faces might sound like in the 21st Century."