Celebmix.com
2/28/19
For a decade, from 2003 to 2013, Bendy toured and recorded with NYC’s jam quartet U-Melt. Still, Change represents Bendy’s first foray into the realm of vocals and keyboards. He pulls it off with aplomb.
The first track that gained my undivided attention is “Free,” a piano heavy alt-rock tune imbued with bright, potent resonance and a compelling rhythm. The running riffs on the guitar really stand-out, giving the harmonics an incandescent essence.
Highlights on the album include “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” a funk-lite alt-rock number with a skiffing guitar and rousing piano. The percussion on this track sizzles, with great fills and the rounded tone of the snare. There’s a vestige of jazz-feel spilling through this song.
“Spark” delivers a grand sonic spark, traveling on a pounding piano topped by a scorching guitar. The song is vaguely reminiscent of Billy Joel, full of rollicking energy and beau coup vivid textures. The ultimate track, “Epiphany,” is my favorite, opening on a wailing guitar intro flowing into a laid-back breakdown of only Bendy’s voice and an elegant yet brawny piano. Even though the harmonics, once established, are thick and powerful, there’s a gentle quality to this song.
Change is a strong album, featuring contagious piano-based melodies, and thinkbendy’s inimitable voice, rich and raw.
By Randy Radic
forfolkssake.com
3/21/19
For a solid decade between 2003 and 2013, Adam Bendy toured and recorded with the New York quartet U-Melt, jamming amidst an ethereal blend of prog rock, funk, electronic, and jazz that eventually garnered the collective a national acclaim. Prior to his exploration into the realm of solo artistry, Bendy was known as a well-regarded bassist. Since then, he’s adopted the moniker thinkbendy and has expanded his roots to embrace vocal and keyboard performance, as well. Taking a methodical approach to the development of his first thinkbendy LP, Change, Bendy’s cerebral and instinctual brilliance alike shines brightly beside record contributors Robert Salzer (guitar), George Miller (drums), and Ann Mcinerney (flute).
With a focus on piano-driven melodies beside jazz-leaning synth and percussion, Bendy takes an avant garde approach to the formation of his new album straight-away with opener ‘Sunrise’. Coming in at a cool near-couple of minutes, the aptly-named instrumental composition hits listeners with a dosage of optimism whilst establishing just how different thinkbendy is from his previous efforts. Yet, his delightfully off-kilter arrangement qualities do speak kindly to his greater experience as a bassist. Even as he approaches the album as a singer, there’s an offbeat methodology to how Bendy slips and sidles into his arrangements that speaks to his years of knowledge developing a reputation as a rhythmic savant.
From the get-go, thinkbendy accomplishes its prime mission in selling its titular frontman as a fresh newcomer to the prime songwriting scene with an individualistic charm. Bendy’s greatest gift is his personality, which bursts forth as clearly and warmly as the sun’s rays from start to finish. There will never quite be another Adam Bendy in the world, and the instant identity he establishes here will carry him well into the future with his thinkbendy project.. indelible hooks, charismatic vocal performances, and altogether weirdly and wonderfully captivating musical arrangements make for a positive Change.
By Jonathan Frahm
IndiePulse Music Magazine
3/5/19
NYC’s thinkbendy releases debut album “CHANGE” – IndiePulse Music Magazine
CHANGE by Adam Bendy is a great release, it has a ken edge and, as a fellow NY born, long Island boy, it is very reminiscent of the music I knew from the local Long Island Music Scene, it has elements of Rock, Pop and some early, brit-wave inspired new wave essence that all make for a great musical experience. Each track is a unique audio soundscape all it’s own, and together make a complete picture into the life and influences of the artist. Looking at the history of the albums creation, it has been a long time coming, being written and developed over several years time, but it is all well worth the wait, and I would like to say that if this is a foundation album, then Adam Bendy will definitely be an artists to follow closely, and to admire for his talent in artistic and creative coring of a life’s soundtrack.
By Joseph Timmons
Skope
3/9/19
Thinkbendy embraces a vibrant colorful sound with the highly emotive “Change”. Best taken in as a whole thinkbendy embarks on an entire journey, featuring thoughtful lyricism and highly creative arrangements. Stylistically thinkbendy brings together indie rock, a big band jazz sound, funk, all nicely framed by a slight nod towards the theatrical. Quite a joyful celebration the songs deserve to be played at the highest possible volumes. Felt as well as heard works wonders for the tracks as they unfurl to reveal a vivid amount of colors. Evolution and buildups happen with such perfection. At times thinkbendy’s work, its surrealistic bent, feels reminiscent of Mr. Bungle’s peculiar style.
“Free” opens the album up with a slight hint of funk courtesy of that limber bass. Going for a cinematic sweep the gorgeous “Change” has a mid-70s twinge to it, full of yellow hued nostalgia within the carefully crafted arrangement. By far the highlight of the album the piece possesses such heart. A driving rhythm rests at the very center of the playful “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. Swinging grooves float on by on the psychedelic vibe of “Can I Ask You A Question”. With a bit of a honky-tonk spirit is the nimble piano work of “Spark”. Slowing things down considerably the luxurious “Of One Mind” benefits from a string section reminiscent of the High Llamas. Effortlessly bringing it all together is the expressive “Epiphany”.
Fully embracing an energetic passionate approach, thinkbendy opts for something downright beautiful with “Change”.
By Skope