Regular Columnists

Artist: Brian Krug
Album: "Jimmie Chitwood Publishing"
CD Review: Genre: R&B
Sounds Like: The Whitehead Brothers
Technical Grade: 7
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8
Commercial Value: 8
Overall Talent Level: 9
Songwriting Skills: 9
Performance Skill: 9
Best Songs: How Many Sorrys, Morning Sun
Weakness: Lack of variety
CD Review: Brian Krug, a singer/songwriter from Indiana who sites Babyface as a major influence, sent me a 4 song demo of songs that brilliantly showcase his passion and skill as an architect of throwback R&B ballads.

His strongest and most commercial song, the poignant “How Many Sorrys,” evokes the melodic tenderness of “Visions Of A Sunset,” the solo hit of Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman, and is sure to spark interest from commercial recording artists in the aftermath of the success found by piano based songs by Alicia Keys and John Legend.

His penchant for writing well-structured songs is on display throughout this demo and is called upon to breathe life into the cover of the R&B classic, “Rumors,” which is infectious despite being misplaced. The Gospel flavored “The Lucky One” proves that he is not only a man of many talents, but one who has a wealth of options, genres and audiences available to him.

Advice: Diversify your repetoire. It's in need of original uptempo songs. Also, persevere! This brand of R&B is tough to promote at the moment, but the industry is slowly coming back to it.

www.myspace.com/bkrug