Scott McGinley's late 90's Project BLISS was born out of the already successful NEW RELIGION. "Discovered" by record impresario Terry Ellis (fromer owner of Chrysalis), while touring in Asia, McGinley was flown to LA to record the new BLISS album with some of todays best musicians (Jason Scheff-CHICAGO,Tim Peirce and David Raven), producers (legendary Keith Olsen) and singers (Alex Ligertwood-SANTANA). After the recording was done, a touring band was put together and sent back on the road throughout Asia, where BLISS racked up 4 top 10 hits, 3 top 10 MTV videos and played for millions.
Strains with the label shelved the project after 2 years, McGinley went on to form the regionally successful INSIDERS and the brand new POP IS ART. ...more @ www.popisart.com ....Don't forget to check out Scott's other projects: "New Religion", "The Insiders", and the new "Pop is Art"
Ultra Sound of the Month
Malaysia, January 1999
Singer Scott McGinley's voice lends upbeat-ness to 'serious' numbers like Even if You Go, First And Last, and Cry Baby Cry, while at the same time grounding the seemingly flighty, groovy Baby He Loves You. And there's outright sensuality in Bigger Than Us Both and Tonight, Tonight.
McGinley also writes most of the original material- with Nothing being a collaboration between him, keyboardist Patrick McCabe, and Thai group P.O.P. Hey Boy takes the cake for being the most honest song on the record, succinctly documenting the crap an aspiring musician has to endure for that all- elusive break; and then realising the so- called big-time sucks, big-time.
Although they do not really need to, Bliss covers the Bee Gees classic Run To Me, Genisis' Follow You, Follow Me, and Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World. All are laudable efforts.
There is a lack of homogeneity on the album, which puts it above others in its class. Keyboardist Patrick McCabe earns his keep by being the brilliant maestro who holds the threads of the musical landscape together. It is clear that not only are Bliss performers, they are also precise, technically- adept musicians. Blissful listening!
Karen J. Tan
Day and Night Magazine
Singapore, January 1999
Bliss is a surprisingly enjoyable pop/ rock band. While the songs of lead singer Scott McGinley are quite strong, especially the opener Baby He Loves You and Bigger Than Us Both, it is in the interpretation of pop classics that it shows its talents.
The group's versions of thr Bee Gees Run To Me and Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World are good, but I have to say I'm really quite impressed by the cover of Genisis' Follow You, Follow Me. In my opinion, that little known song was one of the best ballads of the 70s and Bliss has actually done it justice.
This is a good pop album.
Martin Vengadesan-Lee
From Billboard Magazine, December 5, 1998
Tiger Star, the indie label formed by Chrysalis co-founder Terry Ellis, is currently touring a five-man Brit / American pop act in Thailand in advance of the band's self-titled debut there tuesday. Bliss was formed by singer/ songwriter Scott McGinley, who has been touring the region with New Religion for the past four years.
The band recorded its album in the U.S. in May with well-known producer Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, etc). The 14-track collection features self-penned pop songs and covers like the Bee Gees' "Run To Me' and Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World."
An advance single written by McGinley, "Baby He Loves You," is already getting airplay in anticipation of the album's release. Stuart Watson, chairman of Swat, which represents Tiger Star in the Asian region, says, "The whole plan is to break them as a live touring act." -John Clewley
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