CD Review: Michael Dyer – Nothing Seems Like What It Seems By Staff Writer L. Anne Carrington For Indie Music Stop (indiemusicstop.blogspot.com) April 14, 2007 Michael Dyer has been described as a master-level guitarist, composer, and arranger, with a rich baritone voice that is complementary to his musical style, falling within the genres of folk-rock and adult alternative contemporary rock/pop. Nothing Seems Like What It Seems is a CD of mystical acoustic rock with dual interacting lead guitars, intricate fingerpicking, strong bass themes, haunting voice and poetic lyrics. The majority of his songs are romantic; selections describing everything from love to loss, and disappointment and anger in love, can be found in titles such as "Union of Souls," "You're the One," "Luck of The Night," "The Dawn Is Still," "Nothing Seems Like What It Seems," "Translucent," and "Full Of It." The CD also contains other songs with other themes: the search for spiritual meaning in "The Trek," and the state of the environment in "Earthsong." Nothing Seems Like What It Seems is a very personal and emotional, and reaches deeply into the soul of the listener with both voice and lyrics. Each song stands out on its own, not something easily done by many artists. Unlike most music that is released nowadays, this is a CD that is smooth and easy on the ears, expressing what we feel but cannot express. And the unusual cover art? As a hobby, Michael enjoys glass-blowing. He employs techniques such as glass slumping, flame-working, glass casting and Venetian-style blowing. The covers of his CDs include images of some of his glass creations. He is as talented in glass blowing as he is in his music. ------------------(end of Indie Music Stop review)------------------ Michael Dyer's lyrics are subtle, deeply emotional, and evocative. Many listeners have told Michael that he should publish the lyrics of his many songs as a book of poems, since they are so poetic and exquisitely crafted. (Song lyrics for all of his CDs can be accessed at www.MichaelDyerMusic.com by clicking on any song title.) "Intricate", "beguiling", "deep" and "amazing" are some adjectives that have been used to describe his music. Some fans describe Michael Dyer's music as "mystical rock". Michael Dyer's songs commonly contain complex guitar rhythms and finger-picking patterns. They all have bass and lead guitars playing beautiful themes that interweave with one another. Most songs contain two lead guitars that play complementary riffs. These dual, interacting lead guitars both syncopate and harmonize with each other. Each song also contains varying drum/percussion patterns that make you want to dance to his music. Some songs have subtle, haunting, synthesizer keyboard chords or riffs. All of this is all the more remarkable, given that all parts of each song (lyrics, dual lead-guitars, finger-picking, rhythms, drum patterns, vocals and even vocal harmonies) are written, composed, and performed solely by the artist. He crafts each song by painstakingly building it up, one voice or instrument at a time. Michael Dyer sounds like a mix of Peter Gabriel, Ben Lee, Rufus Wainwright, Yusuf, Guster, Snow Patrol and Robbie Robertson. His music also reminds one of Interpol, Mike Doughty, Joe Purdy, The Magnetic Fields, Barenaked Ladies, Doves, Beck, Röyksopp, and with a voice similar to Warren Zevon and to Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer). NOTE: Downloading of individual songs is now available at iTunes Store and at Amazon.com Here are some reactions by listeners to Michael Dyer's songs: "…Absolutely amazing!... Michael.... you are the most amazing of all. I love your songs. I love your lyrics even more…" "… I think you are a genius! With more damn talent and sensitivity and intelligence than ... well than anyone ! Keep at it! We are all better, because of you." "…Have just re-read the lyrics. You really are just amazing! …" "…how beautiful and ...like....silk? Velvet? Suede? No....I can't think of the word....or maybe there isn't a word to describe your voice. But it's more that I "feel" you, rather than hear you…" "…Michael. I just love your voice.....it is almost haunting, in that it fills you up, and yet you just want more. I love the guitar…" "…Your music is very personal and emotional which is two strong qualities to have. I also like music that makes you want to sing along and that you find yourself humming even when you are not listening to it." "… la letra de tus canciones es POESIA PURA, me encanta,… eres incredible!!! (translation: the lyrics of your songs are PURE POETRY, they’re enchanting,… you’re incredible!!!)…" "…Your depth of emotion, and reaching so deeply into the soul ... your voice is one of mellowness, soothing, trustfulness, warmth, feeling inside the heart and body...strumming the inner soul with your words and voice...." "…Your guitar sounds great !!!..." "... Unlike 3/4ths of the music out there, with just strumming and simple bass line, your music is actually interesting to listen to! I'm so impressed! ..."