I love "... Parade," it's a great album, honest. I think my least favorite song is the opening cut, which seems a little too ordinary coming from you... I really liked the creativity and boldness of "Hum We of Love, Brethren," and also the "Nam" chant, both smartly concieved and well executed... "Skipaway" has some kind of gigantic hook -- despite being a country bumpkin kind of arrangement, which is not my style, I find myself singing that tune quite often. I think you've really got something there. 
I love the closing track and "Devil On Your Shoulder." I didn't really like "Accident In Your Heart," the word play just didn't work for me.
Overall, I think it's a terrific disc, very mature musically and artistically, with some standout arrangements and superb performances by you and EJ... thanks for sharing it, Steve, and keep up the great work.
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Loads of fun. Tongue-in-cheek throwaway poetry that still makes statements about life. Obviously a smart (and probably older, as in 40s or 50s) guy, Steven Jay is having rock ‘n’ roll fun here with friend and producer E.J. Wells, a near-miss-for-the-top-20 high-quality artist in his own right, who adds some tasty rhythm guitar tracks and some other fun studio hijinks to Jay’s slightly smartassed lyrics. No shortage of creativity here, and Jay delivers the material with exactly the right amount of engagement here, detachment there. Unlike on Wells’s record, the vocal is mixed nice and loud, so the entertaining lyrics grab you and really invite you in on the fun Jay and company were having in the studio.

The E.J. Wells band—which is mainly Wells and drummer Chuck Caswell—sounds fantastic, too. The recording and mixing are straightforward but first rate.

“Skipaway” is a relaxed rockin’ and rollin’ groove that displays terrific songwriting too. Kind of a flippant version of Credence.

There are moments of hilarity. You have to hear “Nam-MyoHo-Renge-Kyo.” I can’t tell whether Jay is making fun of Buddhists or is a real Buddhist. Very very possibly, both. A definite recommendation for smart people who love good, subtle humor wrapped in very well-made classic rock grooves. 

Everett Young, Founder, IntelligentPop.com
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Steven Jay’s new album is clearly a cathartic work---one can tell he’s sincere on the first listen.

The album kicks off with the energetic “You’re Wrong Again”, which sounds like something Boston would’ve recorded decades ago IF they had a low singer instead of a high singer.

   Next is “Shout”, an album highlight to this listener due to Steve’s clever turn of a phrase AND the completely unexpected and completely enjoyable woodwind solo—is that a piccolo? Whatever it is, it’s very entertaining.

   “Skipaway” is just downright catchy. It’s hooky and stays in your head longer than you might want it to. The scratchy drums are one of the many interesting production elements  E.J. Wells employs successfully on this disc. And the baritone guitar solos are simply stellar.

  Then we get a taste of ‘house electronica’, or whatever the kids are calling it these days.

   The album’s tour de force is “Little Fish Tattoo”, where Athanas artfully crafts a heart-tugging story of intimate details that conjures up “Heroes”-era Bowie and even a little “Exile On Main Street”.

  All in all, Steve and E.J. have crafted an emotional and sonically cinematic piece of work.
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I just can't get over this CD.  It's better than anticipated.  When I heard rough drafts this summer, I didn't know what to expect. Now hearing it in it's entirety it's brought everything to the table.  Catchy lyrics, ditty tunes, smiles, tears, all the emotions.  It is simply great.  My favorite song, hands down is BOUND.  However John Connolly on the penny whistle on Shout ROCKS.  It completes the tune.  What a happy little ditty.  I often catch myself humming many of these tunes during the day.  Even though many love the Little Fish Tattoo I must say its not my favorite, I'll just continue to wait for a song on bunny tattoos. Now that would be worth singing about. Bella Bunny Tats....
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