"The Atkinsons light up a crowd from the moment they take the stage. Tight melodies wrapped around a fire-brand message of lost hope and forlorn women. Open up a whiskey bottle, ease the chair back on the cabin porch and let the music take over."
- J. Tayloe Emery, Menokin Americana Music Festival
"This
is the kind of alt-country album that sticks with you till the end.
Great instrumentation, musicianship, and song structures, pristine
recording."
-
Sounds of RVA voted
"Mile Marker" as #2 Top
Album from RVA 2011
"Country-rock
group The Atkisons are no strangers to the Richmond scene. I’ve seen
them a number of times and thought they were pretty decent. But
nothing could prepare me for their incredible second album “Mile
Marker.” It only goes to show that these guys have new tricks
up their sleeves. It’s surprisingly good and on constant
repeat."
-
VA Playlist "New Releases" for Mile Marker by Andrew
Cothern,
May 23, 2011
"Richmond - If you pay any attention to the rock or country flavored bands playing around Richmond, you have probably heard of the Atkinsons. They've been around for a couple years now, if you consider seven to be a couple. Most of that time has been spent playing at venues and festivals all over Richmond and the surrounding area. For all those years playing they had until recently only released one album, a self-proclaimed alt-country opera called American Gothic. They really are a performance band. It's obvious from seeing them play that they just enjoy being up on stage playing music. Recording is more of an afterthought for them."
-
Magazine33 review of "Mile Marker" CD Release show
at
Richmond Music Hall, May 2011 (by Robin Marschak)
The
Atkinsons, "You Could Go" - "Many a musician was born and many a band was formed at the now defunct Matt's Village Pub. In the early oughts, mandolin player Jeff Williams played host to a popular open-mic night that launched numerous musical careers, including the Gaskets, the Ex-Patriots, Jared Jones of Lust Not Love, Jim O'Brien of Schnitzel and the Atkinsons.
It's been more than seven years since Atkinsons guitarist and vocalist Dickie Wood drew his name on that chalkboard, and he's still performing twangy rock songs with Williams. Borrowing the last name of fellow open-mic performer Gary Atkinson for their first gig, the duo eventually pieced together a full band, which includes Wood's wife, Jamie, on harmonies and percussion. The Atkinsons' new album, "Mile Marker," punctuates their Southern rock flair, while paying homage to some of their favorite storytellers."
-
Style Weekly That One Song interview by Mike Rutz, April 12, 2011
"At the base of all our music are rock and roll songs," remarks lead vocalist and guitarist Dickie Wood. "When you add fiddle, mandolin, and three-part harmonies, it turns into something a little different". Mile Marker showcases The Atkinsons' established qualities- swinging Americana sound, richly textured vocals, and compelling original compositions-but represents a stylistic departure from the band's 2007 CD, American Gothic. "The songs on Mile Marker are more individual slices of inspiration that touch on various styles of music," according to Wood. "While there still may be a little swing left, there are grittier, swampy undertones."
-
Grid Magazine RVA Vibe section in the March/April 2011 issue
(article by
Anika Imajo; picture by Scott Baker)
"If
you aren't already in love with the Atkinsons, and I'm betting quite a
few of you are, then you will be as soon as you see them perform.
This is a feel good, roots rocking, Americana, hellofa good time.
So don't miss out!"
-
Magazine33
by Robin Marschak, November 2009 ( The Atkinsons on front cover)
"It's
'rock with a twang', as the band calls it. We say it's pretty
rockin', boot tapping Americana. Apparently, we aren't the only
people that think so. Their CD "American Gothic" has
received some awesome reviews from all over."
-
Richmond.com SoundOff section, January
25, 2008
"The
CD has roots rock sound accented with Mike Ferry's fiddle which
is frequently and effectively used to provide the
"mood" of the songs. This is especially true on
one of my favorite tracks, "Chapter One", Caroline.
The next "chapters" are also powerful tunes;
Chapter 4, "Forever
Wanting You" has some good old 'southern rock' guitar riffs you might
hear in old Molly Hatchet
tunes. "Part of
Me" is a haunting acoustic tune that starts off with
the harmonica effectively mimicking a train whistle. Another
standout 'Chapter' is "Move
Along" which is a bit of of southern 'anthem' or jam
type tune with some nice guitar in the middle. The music is
moody and strong, and as you can tell by the quote above a great
deal of thought went into the album. Leader Dickie Wood
sings lead vocals on the tunes, and definitely has a twang to
his voice- if twangy voices aren't your thing, you'll still
enjoy the CD- maybe listen to half at a time. If you like
powerful music and a twangy voice to boot, you'll really enjoy
this CD." -AmericanaRoots.com
review of "American Gothic" by
Don Zelazny, Dec 2007
"You
had me at "Caroline"! You guys are wonderful. A
breath of fresh air - unpretentious; down to earth; heart-stirring
music."
-
VA Jukebox, November 2007
"I
recently received this disc in the mail. I don't really recall how
it got sent to me
but
I put it in the stack to listen to. Many of the discs that arrive in the mail aren't
very good so I don't get too excited. However, I love this record.
If you
like Blue
Mountain, Son Volt & Scott Miller you'll like The Atkinsons. I
have added the entire
disc to the playlist because it was too hard to leave anything
out. Check these guys out and
give the record a listen...you'll probably like it."
-
Cosmic American Radio, October 2007
"Their bio says The Atkinsons are an Americana band "rooted in rock, touched by country, and rich in harmonies. The Atkinsons merge their signature sound with bittersweet tales of woe and heartbreak." The neat thing about Americana music is that is encompasses so many influences. The Atkinsons, from Richmond, VA, have a unique blend that seems to work. It's not Bluegrass or Old-Time, but the classic Americana feel is still there."
-
Americana Rhythm Magazine review of "American Gothic",
September 2007
The
Atkinsons, “American Gothic” (self-released)
"Dickie Wood has a lot of words floating around in his
head. That’s the thought that comes to mind listening to the
new release from this ubiquitous Richmond group. Serving the
role as lead singer and guitarist, Wood is accompanied by
multi-instrumentalist Jeff Williams, bassist Ricky Breland,
fiddler Mike Ferry, drummer Kris Krull and
percussionist/ vocalist Jamie Wood. Throughout 10 tracks
(and a bonus track), they weave stories of loneliness,
desertion, romance, boozing, traveling... very much a
cross-section of the American experience. Songs are written more in the form of rhyming prose than as
couplets, which helps bolster the storytelling. Sonically, the
group resembles alt-rock pioneers Uncle Tupelo or early Ryan
Adams. The idea behind the music is well- communicated, and
the songs are executed with precision. The Atkinsons have been
performing on Richmond stages for more than four years, and
the time and experience are reflected in the maturity of this
recording."
-
Style Weekly review of "American Gothic" by Josh
Bearman, June 20, 2007
"It's
not as easy these days to find a sprawling country road that's
not bisected by a major interstate. But if you can find
that road, The Atkinsons' debut Americana album American Gothic
may be a good traveling companion. The six-piece Richmond
group blends country and rock, laced with mandolin and fiddle
accents - as well as a bit of sawdust and whiskey
thrown in for
good measure."
-
Richmond Magazine review of "American
Gothic", April 2007
"The
band delivers country music in the vein of early '70s Stones – rough,
honest and devoid of the cheeseball element. Lead singer Dickie Wood has
the nicotine- and whiskey-stained vocals of Robert Earl Keen, and is the
perfect compliment to the band's raucous fiddle throwdowns."
-Richmond.com
"Sound Off" by Caine O'Rear, March 10, 2007
"After
teasing us for so long with their mandolin- and fiddle-soaked Americana
songs, The Atkinsons’
long-awaited debut CD is finally being
released. “American Gothic” tells the story of a nameless tragic
hero from his birth to adulthood, and then, through streaks of bad luck
and bad decisions, his death. Although the lyrical content is dark, you
know the music and melodies will be upbeat, so bring your tappin’ toes
to the CD release show at Cafe Diem
on
March 10, 2007."
-
Style Weekly "Inside Track", March 7, 2007
WCVE
PBS Richmond "The Music Seen" series live performance by The
Atkinsons on June 2006 at The Canal Club, episode aired on PBS on November 22,
2006
"The Atkinsons are one of the best Americana bands in Richmond. This band delivers a good time with fantastic performances and songs that make people want to sing along.
Original songs like "Caroline" and "Best Thing" tap into deep emotions with lyrics of bittersweet tales of woe and heartbreak. The Atkinsons are a unique ensemble of musicians with a great harmonizing sound!"
-
The Richmond Buzz "The List", November 2006
Live performance by The Atkinsons on the Real Estate Show RICH-TV Channel
79 on August 3, 2005
"The
Atkinsons light up a crowd from the moment they take the stage. Tight melodies wrapped around a fire-brand message of lost hope and forlorn women.
Open up a whiskey bottle, ease the chair back on the cabin porch and let the music take over."
- J.
Tayloe Emery, Menokin
Americana Music Festival 2004
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