MUSIC, ART, AND MUSINGS FROM THE MIND OF
Rich Restaino
Mostly We Lie Streaming Now
My latest collection of original songs was released by Madhouse! Records in early April of 2025, first streaming exclusively at richrestaino.bandcamp.com, and on April 25 on all other platforms.
Reviews
Poprock Record
Few artist pressers contain quotes from Kurt Vonnegut but Rich Restaino’s no ‘strap on a guitar and go’ performer. There’s lyrical depth in the contributions to his recent EP Mostly We Lie. The title track calls out the short game many are playing, too often going for self-interest in the here and now. Then “Man Has Shit For Brains” has a tin pan alley kind of rough melody and wisdom. Restaino doesn’t paint a pretty picture of contemporary manhood here… This is a kind of well-crafted protest music from a man who clearly cares, despite his biting critique.
Powerpopaholic
Finally Rich Restaino gives us a spooky sounding “Ear Worm!” as part of his Mixtape.
Poprock Record
“You can dip in just about anywhere with Rich Restaino’s catalogue and find yourself a real gem. His latest EP Mixtape has got a smoking instrumental called “Earworm.” Such wicked guitar tones on both the tasty lead licks and chugging rhythm work… See full review
Big Western Flavor
“I recognized Restaino from the first as a disciplined songwriter whose central late-70’s influences gave him an unfashionable, two-level approach: big, wide melodies, simple rock changes, and sugary vocal hooks for people listening on AM radio through crackling car speakers; unfathomable depths of backing vocals and additional instrumentation for those who like to spin LP’s with headphones on. Most people don’t listen to records any longer, and hardly anybody music on AM radio, so there’s an appealingly perverse charm to the style.”
