Chi McClean

SanFranciscoSentinel.com 02.24.09

“Southern-style rock tenor Chi McClean touches pure gold with the release of Something Out There.” Read the full review here.

San Francisco Chronicle 05.08.09

“What’s a New York transplant to San Francisco doing turning out a sweet debut CD of Southern rock? Don’t spend a long time trying to find the answer because it’s on Chi McClean’s Something Out There, 10 cuts featuring McClean’s compelling vocals, masterful guitar work and, most of all, pretty smart songwriting.” Read the full review here.

Sidetracked | San Luis Obispo Tribune 01.07.10

“Chi McClean is one of those surfing musicians, except he doesn’t call himself a surfing musician. The singer/songwriter, who appears at The Clubhouse in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, is a fingerpicking guitarist with Southern-style rock vocals. And, as you can see from photos below, he also surfs.” Read the full story here.

GlideMagazine.com 03.02.11

“McClean’s music style, which finds itself deeply rooted in Americana, could not come at a better time.  In an industry that still makes the majority of its profits from popular music, music fans are finding themselves turning back to their roots… His guitar skills are apparent of years of training, and his lyrics, mostly about relationships and ‘love stuff,’ are genuine.” Read the full story here.

Pepper Daniels, Director of Programming: The KRUSH 92.5 FM  02.24.12

“A Thing Or Three highlights Chi’s musicianship, solid songwriting, and great vocals. Crisp, clean, and real.”

TheNoiseBeneathTheApple.com 03.04.12

“A mark of a successful singer/songwriter, in my opinion, is a performer who can silence a coffee shop or crowded bar. Whether he’s playing there live or simply filling the speakers, there is something about a really good artist that can make at least one person pay attention, and jot down a lyric to look up later while maintaining a conversation. It’s what immediately strikes me as I cycle through this week’s album, A Thing or Three. It’s the best full album I’ve gotten to review so far; songs like Would You Love Me and Build Me Up are excellent demonstrations of his playing abilities and his lyrical talent. It’s soulful, but not overpowering. It’s well put together, but not perfect.” Read the full review here.

TheNoiseBeneathTheApple.com | Live Review from Café du Nord, San Francisco, CA 03.08.12

“Chi possesses a shy, unassuming manner onstage, as though he still can’t believe that people find his music so thought provoking and alluring. The audience was so entirely engaged during the hour long set, that the magical cohesion of instruments, melodies and foot stomping rollicking good fun defies a song by song analysis. What can be said is that, even within the full band medium, Chi’s music comes straight from his heart, unfiltered and unencumbered by pretension or self-importance. He wears his emotions proudly and communicates directly, telling us what he feels with an openness that few songwriters are ever able to achieve.” Read the full review here.

VenturaRocks.com 08.16.12

“A man and his acoustic guitar. It doesn’t get much more intimate than that. A little southern, a little folk, some bluesiness, lite rock. I guess it’s called Americana. I’m reminded a little of James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, and even a tinge of Van Morrison. It’s hard to believe Chi was born and raised in New York. I distinctly get a bonfire at the beach vibe. I can imagine listening to A Thing or Three driving down Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean with the top down, just as easily as spending some quality time with that someone special on a hot summer night. Uplifting lyrics, passion and extraordinary musicianship. It’s a good mix, a good vibe, and worthy of your time.” Read the full review here.