PRESS QUOTES
What people are saying about THE BURNT PINES’ second album, “Don’t Look Down”:
“The writing is superb as this trio – with connections to Portugal, America and Denmark – tackles universal world issues: drinking, relationships, reality, redemption and, of course, ghosts and alien abduction. The music is beyond buoyant and each composition is, like any sophisticated work of art, composed of many tiny brush strokes to create the desired effect. As individuals, each band member contributes significantly but, as a band, there’s something very special about the chemistry between these players – creating something larger in the bargain”.
(Eric Thom/Americana Highways)
“Don’t Look Down boasts a sound that’s both ethereal and effusive, all upbeat in its perspective without falling prey to any gratuitous flouting of excess emotion. Simply stated, The Burnt Pines deserve credit for what’s best described as one of the more impressive efforts in recent memory.”
https://americansongwriter.com/review-burnt-pines-carve-out-a-dynamic-debut/
(Lee Zimmerman/American Songwriter)
“The Burnt Pines may become a necessity to many ears. It reminds us of what we love about rock music, roots music & multicultural musicians at their best, together.”
https://americanahighways.org/2023/02/02/review-the-burnt-pines-dont-look-down/
(John Apice/Americana Highways)
“The Burnt Pines bring a stirring, glistening brand of folk rock that invites repeated listens due to the superior musicianship, harmonies and the kind of hooks that will have you singing along.”
https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=7608
(Jim Hynes/Country Standard Time)
“Don’t Look Down” is an original eleven-track album, with the twelfth being a surprising cover. There’s no song like the other in any aspect; it’s an incredible listening experience with being taken on a personal journey of the trio’s lives, where they share with us joyful and dreary moments. How the singles are diversified shows the band’s musicianship and their authentic artistry.”
https://www.rockeramagazine.com/album-dont-look-down-by-the-burnt-pines/
(Viola Karmy/Rock Era Magazine)
“Across eleven tracks, The Burnt Pines create a musical symmetry that captures the best of folk-roots music—emotional honesty, vocal and instrumental clarity, tonal intimacy—alongside the best of pop music—hooks, catchy rhythms and grooves that don’t quit. I love what they have created!”
https://fervorcoulee.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/the-burnt-pines-dont-look-down-review/
(Donald Teplyske/Fervor Coulee)
“There is an optimism that runs through the material, a strong sense of hope and encouragement. Plus, these are just really good songs.”
http://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-burnt-pines-dont-look-down-2023-cd.html
(Michael Doherty/Michael’s Music Log)
“An album with much to offer, not least the excellent musicianship and the honeyed vocal tone of Kris Skovmand.”
https://www.lonesomehighway.com/music-reviews/2023/1/9/new-album-reviews
(Paul McGee/Lonesome Highway)
“Multi-cultural, multi-genre experience adds layers of complexity and style to the group’s music and Don’t Look Down shows that off.”
https://twangville.com/42909/the-burnt-pines-dont-look-down/
(Shawn Underwood/Twangville)
“An intimate and mesmerizing take on folk, roots and Americana music.”
https://www.bestofwny.com/entertainment
(Bob Silvestri/Best of WNY)
“While they would blush at being called virtuosos, there is a resemblance to the chops of Nickel Creek and the emblematic folk of Head and The Heart.”
(Glide Magazine)
“ . . . country cool, folk finesse, singer-songwriter troubadourism, soulfulness, and even a few deft and delicate pop smarts and slices of gentle rock melodicism, the result is such a clever musical blend.”
https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/TheBurntPinesDontLookDownCENTheOrchard
(Dave Franklin/ The Big Takeover)
“They have established themselves as masters of mesmerizing melodies and exuberant displays of musical creativity.”
(Jordan Paterson/Music Mecca)
“I have been doing this musical critique gig for over ten years at this point. However, while I have had the pleasure to listen to some incredible music, the ones that stopped me dead in my tracks and screamed of greatness are in a small handful. “Bring Out Your Book” by The Burnt Pines is one of these such songs.”
https://www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2023/01/17/incredible-songwriting-from-rising-talents/
(Matt Simon/EarToTheGroundMusic)
What people had to say about THE BURNT PINES’ self-titled debut album, “The Burnt Pines”:
“Interview and audio clip with Craig Havighurst on WMOT, Nashville”
"This self-titled debut album from a folksy-rock group known as The Burnt Pines is a real charmer, not just for the musicianship and compositions but also for the earthy vocals of Danish-born lead singer and lyricist Kris Skovmand...there’s a down-to-earth, wholesome, well-rounded, and soothing sound."
(Tom Henry/The Toledo Blade)
"The confluence of interesting cultural and artistic backgrounds yields to mostly smooth, free-flowing, lush, layered blend of acoustic and electric music reminiscent at times of Bruce Cockburn (without the acerbic lyrics), Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers with ethereal qualities akin to, rather coincidentally in name at least, The Pines.”
(Jim Hynes/Glide Magazine)
"sublime...they sync with hushed harmony...lovely eponymous debut...The result is a series of songs possessing an intimacy and engagement both sensual and seductive. Think the burnished sounds of Paul Simon, Gordon Lightfoot and Cat Stevens. As a result, The Burnt Pines becomes an album flush with a delicate folk rock glow, a quiet caress one might find while nestled by a fire on a chilly winter’s night. Happily, given this supple and shimmering introduction, those delicate designs help that flame burn brightly."
(Lee Zimmerman/Goldmine)
“...an arresting brilliance of sound that is ethereal and grounded, often at the same time. From the very first song the group heads for the zone where they’re unafraid to follow wherever the feel leads them…The closeness of creation transcended the long distances between them, showing how music like that of the Burnt Pines’ cannot be predicted. There is an intensity of purpose which takes them, almost literally, around the world. Ready for departure."
https://americanahighways.org/2021/02/04/bentleys-bandstand-february-2021/
(Bill Bentley/Bentley's Bandstand)
"The Burnt Pines comfortably fit at the smoother edge always-increasing Americana big tent. With a harmonic vocal style reminiscent of the late-'60s/early-'70s (think Simon & Garfunkel, Donovan) their music is polished in an understated, mostly-acoustic-sounding way. So very appealing to experienced ears...An album without filler, listeners may make comparisons to The Pines (no relation), The Lumineers and even Mumford & Sons...Smooth, 'The Burnt Pines' contains lasting qualities whose attraction remains, lingering in the sub-conscious until again heard."
https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=7296
(Donald Teplyske/Country Standard Time)
"impressive contemporary Folk sound across these 12 tracks and 45 minutes of music that glide along with pleasant melody and interesting harmony dynamics...Final song, April Child, has such a lovely melody and a message for our times ‘We’ve had bad days, Waiting for the rain, Mostly it’ll pass us by, And leave us just the same again.’ With the fears that COVID-19 brings and a new, fragile grip on daily living to the fore, there can be no better message than to reach out, soothe the spirit with reassurances that all will repair itself and return to better days. This album comes highly recommended."
(Paul McGee/Lonesome Highway)
"The surprisingly seamless record belies its logistical shuffles and players’ cultural differences with a relaxed sonic identity built around Skovmand’s hushed, slightly dusky voice. It might remind listeners of early Mumford & Sons — or even Bon Iver’s acoustic origins...Subtle harmonies lift opener 'Diamonds' and particularly the softer 'Only in the Soul,' perhaps the record’s most haunting track with Sa Pessoa’s elegiac piano and a cross-flow of wordless whispers…understated detail in production, combined with a stealthy knack for melody."
https://artsfuse.org/221547/folk-pop-album-review-the-burnt-pines-seamless-cross-cultural-chemistry/
(Paul Robicheau/Arts Fuse)
"An almost perfect soundtrack for the current winter around us…the trio come up with some quite accomplished music, all covered in subdued, melodic overtones. No flashiness or instrumental show-offs, just some quiet arrangements that accentuate the vocals."
https://americana-uk.com/the-burnt-pines-the-burnt-pines
(Americana UK)
"Their music follows the musical veins of The Lumineers, Sufjan Stevens and Mumford & Sons, as they look to make their way onto the music scene with their new twelve-track release. The album begins with the wonderful harmonies of 'Diamonds,' as The Burnt Pines slowly draw you in with the song's gentle melody... They wear their hearts on their sleeves with the beautiful, quiet flow of 'Only In The Soul,'... The Burnt Pines paint the perfect lyrical picture with 'From Seville To Manhattan,' as the words describe the perfect story in your mind…"
http://www.jpsmusicblog.com/2020/12/discover-new-music-with-debut-albums.html
(James Pasinski/JP's Music Blog)
"The album features textured folk-pop melodies, giving the album an overall lightness to the music, even as the lyrics are not always light."
https://knox.villagesoup.com/p/touring-with-bob-dylan/1882647
(Tom von Malder/Courier Publications)
"This trio of tunesmiths have crafted a finely textured warm and melodic debut. If you’re drawn to strong folk-pop songwriting, this album may do it for you...This record gave me the same feeling I had after first hearing The Shins’ debut 'Oh, Inverted World' in 2001. It’s all about the songs, and this album has got them going on."
https://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/music/new-lps-on-the-way-from-foo-fighters-weezer-hagar
(Mike Dow/The Maine Edge)
"the second track of The Burnt Pines’ debut sounds like Buddy Holly—if he had come of age in the 21st century."
https://shepherdexpress.com/music/album-reviews/the-burnt-pines-by-the-burnt-pines-adraela-records/
(Morton Shlabotnik/Shepherd Express)
"As they weave a magical web of mystery songs the listener is drawn in, wanting to listen again for more clues. Even the name Burnt Pines is a bit mesmerizing...This is cool stuff filled with creativity and wonder…"
(Jim Clark/Lee County Courier)
"As we finally approach the end of this horrid and ugly year, many of us are looking for something bright on the horizon, something beautiful to guide us forward out of this dark place. And that’s what the self-titled debut release by The Burnt Pines sounds like to me. This album features some really good vocal work, some uplifting original material with excellent lyrics."
https://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-burnt-pines-burnt-pines-2021-cd.html
(Michael Doherty's Music Log)
“eminently enjoyable recording”
http://www.rambles.net/burnt_pines21.html
(Jerome Clark/Rambles)
"a refreshing blast of folk-pop, where [Kris] Skovmand's expressive voice and unique lyrics are enhanced by the delectable melodies played by [Aaron] Flanders on guitar and banjo. [Miguel] Sa' Pessoa joins them on keyboards…The new album has some delightfully fresh sounds, from the bright folk-rock of 'Diamonds' with its romantic hue, to the propulsive guitar and banjo of 'Heavy and Young' with its offbeat look at love. Perhaps the poppiest tune is 'Oh Me Oh My,' with its infectious melody, but there's a bouncy pop aura to 'Waiting For You' that is also irresistible. There are sweet ballads like 'Song for Rose,' and a charming love song/travelog in 'From Seville to Manhattan,' an acoustic stroll that really highlights Skovmand's unusual lyrical style."
(Jay Miller/The Patriot Ledger)
"a more international and multicultural band than The Burnt Pines is hard to find…excellent guitar and banjo work of Aaron Flanders stands out… diverse…The narrative aspect of some of the songs forces comparisons with the work of a singer-songwriter like Sufjan Stevens…an excellent debut album full of great songs."
https://rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2020/DEC1/CD81.html
(Rootstime!)
"Making it seem like the 60s are still alive and well, folkie style, they firmly hit the nail on the head in the style of the era’s greats but are firmly today about it all. Well done."
http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1721.html
(Chris Spector/Midwest Record)
"’Cavalcade’ wishes you a happy new year, and with new music to greet us by the trans-Atlantic group The Burnt Pines, and their self-titled debut album. Danish-born singer Kris Skovmand met guitar/banjo whiz and arranger Aaron Flanders, and keyboardist Miguel Sa Pessoa at a session in Lisbon a couple of years ago, and they began their transcontinental collaboration way ahead of the Covid curve that now has everyone working this way of necessity. The music has that fresh, airy, well, piney quality that is welcome in this last week before the holiday decorations come down.”
(Paul Cavalconte/WFUV Public Radio, New York)
“The Burnt Pines is just what the doctor ordered.”
(Eric Thom/Americana Highways)
"Folk Music from the heart and aimed directly at your Soul.”
https://rockingmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/the-rocking-magpie-radio-show-pilot-edition-1/
(Alan Harrison – The Rocking Magpie)
The Graham Album Review #2059 – George Graham: