That is typical of RS to give a bad review- check out my page for tons of GREAT reviews from college and mainstream press. It's not surprising that of the few bad reviews, the reviewer has not done his homework and knows nothing about the band- they talk about Joe riding on his dad's coat tails, and say nothing about the last several years in which the band has traveled and played small venues all over the UK and the USA without ever cashing in on Sting's name. They don't know that on the original demo of Santa's BF Joe went by the name of Joe Mendez. This band did not just walk into a record contract because one of the band members has a famous dad- this band has paid its dues, and continues to pay its dues by working hard, touring, meeting fans, and making it on their own merits. The guys are friendly, very accessible to fans, are talented, and make great music. Their live performances are incredible whether there are 25 people or 250 people. Rolling Stone will have to eat its words one of these days!!! on 3/24/03 7:56 PM, Fred Berthelot at F.Berthelot@Ramsa.com wrote:
I wonder if the Rolling Stone review would have swung the other way had the reviewer not known about the Sting connection. Unfortunately it's something they're always going to be fighting against. Joe will always be compared to his dad, which is tough when your dad is Sting. But Fiction Plane are an excellent band in their own right, they are each talented musicians, and Joe has inherited his dad's vocal chords and writing ability. That Rolling Stone reviewer will be biting his tongue in a couple of years.
If you have the opportunity to see Fiction Plane in your area, don't miss it. If you had the opportunity of seeing The Police back in 1978 but you didn't, how much would you hate yourself today?
I also suggest giving your rating and review on Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2046124
This reviewer is really pathetic -- his review STARTS with the fact that Sting is Joe's father, before even mentioning the music. The fact that guys like these have a job really irks me...