"Bruni’s folk and soul-influenced rock is a breath of fresh air. His songs are anywhere from rock-oriented to mellow and balladic, somewhere between David Gray and Bob Dylan. Usually accompanied by a three-piece band, Bruni performs with the utmost passion and musical sincerity. He has a few hit-single kind of songs that seem to instantly resonate"- Culturemob.com
"Fan favorite Pop perfectionist Chris Bruni plays the finely crafted gems from his excellent fan-funded album I've Been Here."-Philadelphia Inquirer
Album Review: Bruni Is "Here"
In a blog entry on MySpace last year, Philly singer/songwriter Chris Bruni wrote: "Just a reminder, I've posted yet another song from my new album for you to take a listen. This song is called 'Use It.' I suppose it's somewhat political, but not necessarily. Take it however you'd like to, I just hope you like it."
That laid-back vibe pretty much dominates on Chris' second album, I've Been Here, though you'd hardly know it from the work he put into this thing. It's an increasingly familiar storyline for recording artists these days: he and his label parted ways, and he turned to his fans to fund the recording and manufacturing of his next album, getting some local heavy-hitters to help him bring his musical vision to life. The finished product sounds great; I've previously praised Tim Sonnefeld's skills as a producer and I'm not about to stop now.
I've Been Here presents Chris as a soul-influenced folk-rock singer/songwriter with a touch of David Gray in his voice and a knack for writing lyrics that paint pictures in your mind but are also open to interpretation. It's a pretty mellow affair by Chris' own admission, so don't go running to this album if you're looking to rock out; personally, it's helped me to wind down a bit during some hectic times in my work life! Some of the highlights for me so far are as follows: "Too Late," with downbeat lyrics and exquisite cello from our friend Krista Nielsen -- you know, Andrew Lipke's cellist; "Bobby Run," a moody, rootsy story-song in the finest folk tradition; the romantic drama "Standing By Your Room," superbly performed as a duet with local fave Laura Shay; and the uptempo "4th of July," with Chris' rhythmic vocal delivery.
For music and more:
http://chrisbrunimusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbruni
http://www.sonicbids.com/chrisbruni
Copyright © 2010 S.J. Dibai. All rights reserved
Chris Bruni is the WXPN Pick of the Day for 10/21! - October 30, 2009
Chris's song "Bobby Run" off his new album, "I've Been Here", was chosen by Helen Leight as XPN's "Philly Local Pick of the Day" on October, 21st. WXPN is a nationally syndicated radio station broadcasting from the University of Pennsylvania. Check out the link below! http://wxpn.blogspot.com/2009/10/philly-local-pick-of-day-102109-chris.html
SINGER/SONGWRITER/SOLICITOR
"On "I've Been Here", a more mature sounding Bruni leaves behind some of the pop rock that dominated his debut and slides into a more soulful groove"-Ryan Cormier, The News Journal
"Chris Bruni emerges from Milkboy Studios"- Spark Summer Concert Alum raises more than $11,000 to record second album"-Article by Rob Kalesse, Spark Magazine
The folks at spark magazine stopped by the "The Flash"in Kennett Square for Chris's show back in March. They were gracious enough to use a shot of Chris's performance for the cover of the magazine the following week.
Thanks for the support Spark!
Check out the link for more photos from the show.
93.7 WSTW | Hometown Heroes
Chris Bruni wins Best Male Solo Artist 2007!
Chris Bruni has won the award for Best Male Solo Artist in 93.7 WSTW's first annual Hometown Heroes Homey Awards. Chris also received 5 nominations. Featured on WSTW's Hometown Heroes segment in 2007, this is Chris's first Homey Award. Thank you to everyone who voted and be sure to check out the full list of winners on the Hometown Heroes section of WSTW's website.
RadioVolta.org
"Watch Me Burn:" Best Song of 2007!
"Watch Me Burn" has been chosen as the number one song for 2007 by Radio Volta. Radio Volta's program, Kinetic Cuts has selected Chris Bruni's single "Watch Me Burn" as the best song of 2007. Radio Volta is an independent internet radio station based in Philadelphia. Visit RadioVolta.org for more info.
Watch Me Burn Reviw:
First Coast News, Jacksonville, FL
"Bruni almost lapses into a Dylan-esque rasp that hints at possibilities he should explore. "Convicted No Proof," for example is a tear jerker that will stop you in your tracks. The strings and raspy vocal here is stirring to say the least. It's not dad rock and that's why it’s good."
Paul Zimmerman
First Coast News
OnlineRock.com
One must wonder if somehow, somewhere, Tracey Chapman was involved in a cloning experiment that brought us 26-year-old Chris Bruni. With a distinctive voice that's somewhere on the spectrum between Dave Matthews and David Grey, Bruni deserves as wide an audience... With all that going for it, it would be a sin of the worst sort to condemn Bruni's debut album, Watch Me Burn, to a life in rotation on some random "Adult Contemporary" station somewhere. This is an album that deserves to be heard by everyone...
PuckNation.com Review
"Watch Me Burn" scores 9/10
...The songs are quite catchy (“Broken Window” has definite hit single potential) and well-performed to the extent that even listeners who don’t like this kind of music will have to appreciate Bruni. Bruni’s vocals on Watch Me Burn are well performed in a soulful singer-songwriter way. The tone of Bruni’s voice is just unique enough to be interesting, without being so unique as to alienate...
Read the full review
Graham Bailey, PuckNation.com
Radio Volta Review
I can't say enough about Chris Bruni and his debut CD, Watch Me Burn. I can't stop listening to it. Every song on this CD is different, from the electric guitar on Gargoyle Juice to the drum solo on Songbird. Chris has a tremendous songwriting talent. But, what's better is seeing Chris perform live, truly dynamic! Comparisons pale to this original artist. Folks will be covering these songs one day.
Cindy Wuollet, DJ/General Mgr, Radio Volta
XM Satellite Radio: RADAR Report Featured Artist
Thursday, March 8th, Chris was a featured artist on XM radio on a program called RADAR Report, which spotlights national unsigned and independent artists. The show airs on: XMU, XM RADIO Channel 43, XM RADIO Online, Direct TV Channel 831 and on AOL, XMU, XM 43, is located on XM SATELLITE RADIO in the United States and Canada.
Philadelphia Magazine
Watch Me Burn, Grade: A-
This debut album from West Chester's Chris Bruni is like the first cup of coffee on a cold morning: warm, soothing, and gratifying. Bruni's primary instrument is his voice, a cross between Dave Mathews and John Mayer, and that's the power behind this record. His lyrics which touch on life's humbling lessons-namely, love and loss-are clear and sincere. The recording captures his clean, simplistic, coffeehouse sound (he was discovered at an open-mike in Wilmington) The title track is sweetly infectious, as is Bruni's cover of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"
Greg Shutack, Philadelphia Magazine
93.7 WSTW Album Review
Chris Bruni's debut CD "Watch Me Burn" is one of those albums that I fully enjoyed on my first listen. A great collection of acoustic-flavored songs--some mellower in the singer/songwriter mode, some with more of a rock edge--and several that resounded with me immediately. Chris has a great, memorable voice that compliments his music and songwriting. An excellent album on his first time out; and I suspect that it only hints at how he will grow as a musician. It's an album that I highly recommend.
Mark Rogers, WSTW 93.7 Wilmington