NEWSPAPER REVEIWS

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH (Columbus, OH)
"Marc Andre - 7 tonight in Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, 6675 Worthington-Galena Rd. (614-888-7733). Andre, from Columbus, has released his second album, Backstage Pass. Recorded in the cradle of Christian Rock -- Franklin, Tenn., near Nashville -- the songs recall the sound of the power balladeers the Goo Goo Dolls and the spacey, synthesized "whoosh" of Boston, while the heartfelt sentiments can be traced to Richard Marx. Andre's strong voice will make a listener a believer, especially on tunes such as Supposed to Be and After Everything. The album is available at www.marcandremusic.com and Cornerstone Christian Store, 6116 Huntley Rd. Admission is free."(Columbus Dispatch Weekender, January 6th, 2005, pg. 8)

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THE OTHER PAPER (Columbus, OH)
"Marc Andre looks like the kind of guy that says "dude" a lot. However, the mistake in judging a book by its cover is part of what makes Backstage Pass such a surprise. It might not be a classic, but Andre polishes up his college kid rock with tasty studio flourishes and clever arrangements." (The Other Paper, December 9-15, 2004, pg. 25)

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ONLINE REVIEWS

Grassrootsmusic.com
Mary Parker

Backstage Pass has multi-genre appeal

For all you purists who believe that a musician should stick to a single genre, I have just two words, Marc Andre. With his sophomore project, "Backstage Pass," Andre effectively showcases his proficiency in emo, hip hop, and indie-fied prog rock.

Deep, emotional songs like "Hurricane" employ rich swelling strings, while more upbeat tunes such as "Making of a Rock Star," draws on Andre's hip hop roots. Whether you feel like laughing or crying, mourning or dancing, chances are there's a song on "Backstage Pass" to fit your mood. Marc Andre pays homage to bands such as Switchfoot and Evanescence without totally ripping them off.

Nashville session players Mark Baldwin (guitar), Jerry McPherson (guitar), Craig Nelson (bass), Steve Brewster (drums), and the Nashville String Machine lift this project above the norm for an indie project.

Melodic.net
Posted by Cor Jan

I have been listening to this album for some time now and i must say that this guy really surprised me. His first release "Dishes" back in 2001 was a mixture of rock, pop, hip-hop and other styles, so not a very consistent album. This sophmore release is much better and rockier than his first effort. This guy can be up there at the top of christian music in the future with people like Michael W. Smith, Mark Schultz and DC Talk. Best songs are the heavy rocker "Pull through" (style late-DC Talk), the ballad "Hurricane" (Mark Schultz/M.W.Smith), "Fooled" (funky, melodic poprocker!) and the ballad "A thousand gods". The album is well-produced and the musicians are all wellknown like Jerry McPherson, Eric Darken, Mark Baldwin, Steve Brewster, Craig Nelson and The Nashville String Machine, who worked with lots of top christian performers like Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. So all in all a very good album. Do yourself a favor and go over to CD-Baby and buy yourself a copy!

ChristianRock.com
Posted by Jeff McCann

I started off my little review writing session thinking I'd like to review a album. But since there were none available, I picked up Marc Andre's sophmore project, Backstage Pass and decided to give it a shot. It's been sitting here far too long and I owe it to Marc to check out his album.

I was expecting a sort of hiphop/singer/songwriter style akin to Paul Wright or Mat Kearney, but was surprised (pleasantly). Even though I love those two artists, Marc has a cool progressive rock style. Think Coldplay and Evanescence (strings and drama) but with smoother vocals and more harmony. What a great sound, check out the song Hurricane. The lyrics evoke huge emotion and seem to build the same tension as an approaching hurricane with a big and grand finish.

I've mentioned Coldplay, but Marc harkens to a lot of other artists for inspiration and musical wisdom. Marc draws inspiration from artists like Switchfoot, Goo Goo Dolls, Pink Floyd and Evanescence.

Mark's ballads are just as uplifting and passionate as his ability to rock, check out Supposed to Be and A Thousand Gods for something a little more low key and thoughtful. Marc's sense of humour shows through on The Making of a Rockstar, where Mark pokes fun at rockstar wannabes who think they are bigger stars than they really are.

I only have one complaint, it's not really a complaint, just an observation. I felt the need to crank up my subwoofer throughout the whole CD, I'm not sure if bass was lacking in the final mix or if it was just the sound that Marc was aiming for. However, having said that the production of the CD is incredible and well executed. The effects are well done, and few and far between (exactly how effects should be)

Backstage Pass is an album that any artist big or small should be immensely proud of, I hope Marc continues to make (and send me) great music to review in the future! All in all, I hope Marc's album enjoys the success it deserves. Grab a copy of Marc's album while he's still an indie artist!

LISTENER REVIEWS
Send your comments to marc@marcandremusic.com

Joe Heller / Delaware, OH
"I love the album, I have it on my MP3 player at work and when your songs come on I turn them up."

Christina Fritz / Hilliard, OH
"You and Darby Refuge had a great concert. I had a blast at the concert; it was really good...me and my friends liked meeting you. Thanks for coming to our church." (comment from Life Community Church in Hilliard, OH)

Jess Andres / Columbus, OH

"Well, You just played at my school last week (WCHS... but I assume you knew that) :-). Twas very good. And after hearing you, I did buy your CD and I think that "Making of a Rock Star" and probably "Pull Through" are two extremely solid songs that would be good on the radio. Thanks for your encouraging lyrics... "Pull Through" really hits me pretty hard. Keep up the good work. God bless."

George Zavatsky / Powell, OH

"Marc, just wanted to let you know how much I and my kids enjoyed your show last night. The fire-drill was a special treat!...I told the kids, when Marc's performing at Nationwide Arena...we'll remember when we had front row seats at South Campus. By the way, our favorite songs on your two CDs that we have (so hard to pick)...

Daughter Jenny: "Hurricane" and "Dishes"
Daniel: "Making of A Rock Star"
Dad: "Backstage Pass"

George
www.kidslovepublications.com

Janet & Sharon Chittock / Columbus, OH
Favorites: "Pull Through" and "A Thousand Gods"
"Here's our vote. Sharon likes # 2 Pull Through. She said she likes it because it's in the minor keys and "out of the norm." She also liked the words. Of course my favorite is #8. I like the words, pattern of the tune, and instrumental arrangement."

Megan Perkins / Columbus, OH
Favorite: "Hurricane"

Ryan Summers / Newark, DE
Favorites: "After Everything" and "By Now"
"Hey man, just had to tell you how great your stuff is bro. You did a great job! The 2 I keep playing now are "After Everything" and "By Now". Dude, "By Now" is a hot track. That really healed me listening to it. It's very empowering. My favorite song for a while when I needed positive energy was DC Talk's "Supernatural" and this song hits me in the same way. Well done bro. Really nice job. I wouldn't call it dark though, I would call it real."

Todd Dittman / Columbus, OH
Favorites (in order of preference): "Pull Through," "Hurricane," "Making of a Rock Star," "Backstage Pass," and "After Everything." I hope to hear you on The River!"

Lesa McCartt / Bristol, TN
Favorites: "Hurricane" and "After Everything"
"I absolutely love this CD! I have not let it rest since I received it in the mail! Great lyrics! Keep making great music!! It is such a blessing."

Kary Obberbrunner / Columbus, OH
Favorite: "Pull Through"

Ginger Gibson / Columbus, OH
Favorites (a tie between these three): "Pull Through," "Fooled," and "Supposed to Be"
"Marc! Awesome job on your CD. I listened to all the tracks you had posted on the Indie web site. You've done a ton of work here and it's all very impressive. I'm very proud to know you!!

Lara Gifford / Columbus, OH
Favorites (in order of preference): "After Everything" and "Pull Through"
(Although it's truly hard to pick just 2)

Eric & Becky Brown / Dayton, OH
Favorites: "Pull Through" and "Supposed To Be"
"First, let me say that your new CD blew me away. It's awesome! Becky and I want to thank you for introducing yourself and your talents to us as a way to hear your message. You are truly an inspired person. In addition to really liking the songs, I'm fascinated with the whole process and how you can make the CD from start to finish-- from just a tune in your head to the final product. I'll save my questions for a later e-mail, but I wanted to tell you that "Backstage Pass" is a job well done. Keep in touch."

Dave Wilson / Columbus, OH
Favorite: "A Thousand Gods"… and "Making of a Rock Star" (for radio)
"KEWL... OK... 'Making of a Rock Star' isn't my favorite, but I think it's a good bet as a radio song."

COMMENTS FROM INDIEHEAVEN.COM

Paul Conteh
"Brother Marc, I always love to listen to your music. It touches my heart. I love and it is cool."

Adam Pinto
"Marc, your music is amazing! I am blown away with your songs...incredible stuff! Can\'t wait to hear more."

Dan White
"Some good stuff! Marc has raised the bar on his music, now when will someone sign this artist and take him where he should be. Can\'t wait to get this CD!"

T White
"All I can say is when can we get you to book for a concert???? :) These are some of my favorite songs you\'ve done. :)"

Daniel Gibson
"Marc is a very good man with a passionate heart. I have alot of respect for you and your music because it is God-breathed. Keep it going, baby"

A. Cornelius (IH artist)
"Looking forward to hearing excerpts from the upcoming album. blessings as you pursue God's call."

COMMENTS ABOUT "DISHES" (2001)

Brad from ALTERED
"Unique! It's the single most important word you can ever hear as a musician. You have my respect man! God bless!"

Marie Sheldon
"Wow! Great stuff. You really raise the bar :) God bless!"

Chris Wirt
"Great sound! Passionate and full of meat, musically and spiritually, and not cotton candy! Definetely going in the right direction. Blessings!"

David
"Look Like You is a nice track, sounds original, quirky and decent production. Best of the first 5 top-rated bands I sampled on the Indie site. Looking forward to the new album; sounds like you're heading in the right direction."

Emily Young
"Marc, you are doing such an awesome job!! Ilove you music so much and you do such an awesome job leading it too!! GOD bless and don't stop wiht the music, okay? "

Tim(goin' nova)
"I dig the production and sound. You are one of the most creative artist I have been able to checkout on the site so far. I love music that doesn't follow the trends. Great Job!!!!"

Dana Green
"Welcome, Marc! I just joined IH in March, so we're both newcomers! I like your writing and production. Sounds like the Lord will be moving you up to the front lines!"

Ryan
"Excellent compositional depth! Great stuff all around bro! Can't wait to hear more from this guy's head! :)"

Philip Stoll
"Marc is cool. This CD rocks. Keep doing it Marc. :-)"

Keith
"Marc, Excellent songs and production! great having you on the site with us!
keith@indieheaven"

Chris Gifford
"Marc did a fantastic job on this project - Looking forward to the next one!!!"

Contact marc at: marc@marcandremusic.com