Bernadette McCallion - Gild The Lily Music

::CRY WOLF::

From MOTE Magazine

Sometimes a little breath-y like Catatonia or Jann Arden. Moody like a Mazzy Star sometimes, but with more of a Natalie Merchant production quality. Songs like "What About Love?" would put her on Top 40 radio, while songs like "White" have more of an edge. A really fine voice, the same sort of guilty pleasure I get from the
Cardigans, Dayna Manning and Lily Frost.

From ROCKNET.NL

Thank you for trusting us with your brand new release.

Actually there's another reason to be happy with this album, cause lately we have been reviewing so much progressive rock and overall heavy stuff, that some poppy material was long overdue. Bernadette McCallion delivers just that poppy stuff we've been longing for.

A NYC Singer/songwriter, Miss McCallion has had one prior release named after herself: an EP that apparently did quite well at college radio stations throughout the US and Canada. This album however has more than enough quality to rise above college radio.

McCallion could, I suppose, easily write commercial radio tunes. The songwriting skills displayed on this record are solid. However she has chosen to take a slightly different direction making her music more suitable for the alternative / indy market. Fans of Heather Nova and the like should definitely check this out.

The three credited musicians; McCallion herself (vocals, guitars & keyboards), Rich Gaglio (guitars, bass, keyboards, pedal steel) and John DiGiulio (drums & percussion) play a sober but very functional foundation for McCallion's equally sober vocals. This serves the written material well. Slightly haunting on "What About Love?" and "Full Moon Curse", or downright chilling on "Cry Wolf"; a piano based song that has a kind of Twin Peaks feel to it.

Unfortunately the playing time is only 33 minutes. This I always consider a serious flaw, especially when the material offered is of such high quality. One or 2 extra tunes would have been very welcome, and some of the songs could have easily be stretched a little by including a little more lead guitar / piano work. Thankfully though, she doesn't refrain to endlessly repeating choruses, an option I deeply despise.

So there you have it; a good album, suitable for a large group of listeners. Those who appreciate indy / pop / rock tunes or singer songwriters in general should definitely check this out. - Eef Vink

From NYRocks.com

The cover shot has her looking a bit like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club...and her music could be described equally as brooding, again befitting Sheedy's character. No matter, her voice is strong, but not overpowering in an operatic Viking way. Her songs are hooky, yet possess enough of a dark tinge that you know there's a good story to be found in the lyrics. Her musical pals, Rich Gaglia and John DiGiulio, complement what McCallion doesn't play, and the result is just plain good music. Plus, it's hard to fit her into the "it sounds like…" equation, and that's refreshing. A solid effort from start to finish, and let's hope she keeps at it. - Bill Ripas

::THE 3 SONG CD::

"4 and a half stars - Solid, tuneful pop that wraps itself wonderfully around McCallion's somewhat wispy voice. Impressive, introspective lyrics complete the package.

And the production is sharp and full, rendering McCallion's talent in full bloom. These three songs are done as well as anything I've heard lately. Unlike some of the current alternapop divas (Jewel comes to mind, as much as I've tried to block her out), McCallion refuses to go for the cheap line or trendy melody, and instead marks her own territory.

Utterly impressive. McCallion has the complete deal here. She has the ability to appeal to both the mainstream and the underground, which is more than a little impressive. When she gets her big deal, I hope the A&R hacks don't convince her to cheese out. Stick to your guns, and the world will come to you. Contact: Bruce Colfin, (212) 691-5630." - Jon Worley

"A - This disc is an example of how to make a record that people will truly enjoy, and also learn something while listening to it. The songs are mostly ethereal and emotive, almost sweet, but they also employ a good measure of both grit and well-placed lyrical cynicism. The musical arrangements are full-bodied. They also maintain a restrained tension toward the basic issue of how challenging life can be so that we are inundated with how sad and defeated McCallion is.

The is one of the few demos that display a complete picture of the artist's intentions. All the credit should be given to McCallion who on her own, recorded the quality of music of a full band. She should be welcomed into the assembly of women like Brenda Khan, Lisa Germano and Ani DiFranco, who are making cutting edge music without bowing to the male dominated screech rock empire." - Kamau
Rucker

" Four stars - McCallion's voice is sultry and is the perfect vehicle for her fine songs. Her melodies are quite good and so are the lyrics. The only problem here is that there are only three songs on this well-produced and played CD. More, more, more. " -Francis Bell

"This 20 something singer/songwriter has been put in the peer group of Brenda Kahn and Lisa Germano by The Island Ear, heedy company indeed. The Music Paper said, "McCallion's voice is sultry and is the perfect vehicle for her fine songs. The only problem here is that there are only three songs on this well produced and played CD." It is not a problem at all. Of the three songs, the best song is first. It has served its purpose well garnering commercial radio play, and good reviews. She also brought in pro session players Mark Corrigan and John DiGiulio. She has a publishing deal, and is focused on a record deal. Brings To Mind: Altered Images.
Hookup: Bruce Colfin, ESQ."

"A New York-based artist, McCallion has put together an enticing demo, which spotlights songwriting talent, and a voice that conveys a strong personality and point of view, without being overbearing. Unfortunately, the strong opener was followed by lesser material, although "Cry Wolf" contains a haunting edge."

"Every so often there's a gem amongst the dusty pile of demo cassettes worthy of a couple of words. Such is the case of New Yorker McCallion. Three short tracks, yet there's quite a lot of music here. Sparse, haunting little ditties brimming with a professionalism and confidence belying the homemade format. McCallion owns a writing flare and a strong voice that she uses wisely, not overpowering, not whiny. She sings damn it, and that's a rare commodity these days. Can hardly wait for a full lengther." - John Serkerka

"Here is a beautiful-voiced young lady looking to be signed to a label. The three songs on this demo are all slightly different and all very good. The 25 year old wrote the songs and does an excellent job of singing them as well as providing the instrumentation. The songs are melodic and meaningful; performed in Bernadette's fine voice, they become hauntingly compelling. Plans are for the release of a CD this spring. All you agents and label reps should be stampeding in this girl's direction." - Rodney Leighton

"This ribbon is a dark alterna-piece that has a few things going for it, one of which is McCallion's voice. It's spooky and warm and perfect for the material presented here. McCallion plays all of the instruments (except for bass and drums on "Angels, Etc.") and she does an admirable job of it. The material is moody and creepy at times, but beautiful as well. There is something captivating about her entire presentation, and it definitely makes me want to hear more." - Francis Bell

"Haunting melodies, hypnotic rhythms, ethereal vocals and lyrics hinting at a tortured past make Bernadette McCallion's music comely if not altogether compelling. The recurrent drum pattern on "Angels, Etc." is reminiscent of Mick Fleetwood's most avant-garde opus "Tusk," while distant distorted guitar chords- do I hear some Robert Fripp influence? -- add a disturbing tone, effectively complimenting the muted anger in the lyrics. "Forgotten Place" combines a progressive melody a la U2's "With or Without You" with emotive vocalizations in the Kate Bush vein... An obviously talented musician, I'd like to hear more from Ms. McCallion when she has material to offer that reflects a wider emotional range." - Tom D'Angelo