Album Notes

"I want to call it pop because its so damn catchy, but it just doesn't seem to fit. These guys have given acoustic-college-singer-songwriter-rock-n-roll a depth and feel that you just don't seem to find these days. Ranging from hook-laden lead riffs to soul-searching panging lyrics accompanied at times with serenely-minimalist instrumentation, the eclectic moods defy normal pop. Grubb's quirky and complete writing style and passionate vocal delivery is an aspect often lost on the first listen because of the such infectious melodies. On "Set Sail" the MGB have found something. And in my opinion, something that's staying."
- Good-New Music Reviews

23-year-old Knoxville, TN native Mikel Grubb and Band now have their first Full Band album effort, "Set Sail." Kicking off with pseudo-pop-rockers "Angel Now" and "Ocean Song," you can't help but sing along. Then they take you through the familiar uneasiness and questioning that comes with growth and change in songs like "Twilight" and "You Owe Me This Much" before landing on the feel-good moving-on "Lazy Summer" from which the title gets its namesake, "I will set sail this year/ and skip the fall". In his own words, "I am very proud of this collection," says Grubb, "Andre, Laith, and Nate did a wonderful job getting these songs from some idea in my head to this end, an album we're all very proud of." On-disc with Grubb is heralded lead guitar player Laith Keilany, drummer and world-beat percussionist Nathan Barrett, and producer/bass player/experimental musician Andre Hayter.

Not to be forgotten are the MGB's rave reviews for live shows. The University of Tennessee student paper called it "a show not to be missed," and major regional media outlet AC Entertainment dubbed them "Guster meets Dave Matthews" in concert. "Make no mistake about it," wrote one happy club owner, "these guys can rock." After spending the last year opening for the likes of Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Pat McGee Band, Dexter Freebish, Will Hoge, Graham Colton Band, Los Lonely Boys, and others, MGB is poised to forge their own name in this talent-rich Southeast region and soon the nation.