"The burden of the South's tragically beautiful history is reflected in Jeff Holmes' lyrics, where Holmes brilliantly, playfully, and reverently portrays the absurdities and contrasts of the South. From plantations backed up against the parking lot of the Paradise disco which is "choking on vines" to the town drunks and the voodoo women who prowl the South, as well as the ornate chandeliers hanging in abandoned mansions, Holmes' lyrics and, seemingly his heart, are enrapt by the South much like kudzu imprisons southern roadways. Paying homage to Faulkner with "A Rose for Emily" and other lyrics, Holmes also echoes Tennessee Williams in that he is always championing the disenfranchised and those on the fringes with his lyrical parade of Southern gothic and grotesque characters. Finally, in the steps of the mighty southern word slingers before him, Holmes humorously gives life to the poor, white trash of the South (See "Scrawny Little Outlaw" and others); however, these characters serve in juxtaposition to other characters like the uppity church ladies and the underhanded pillar of the church. These characters are poor, trashy, and often a little more than left of center, but Holmes' characterization of these folks is almost forgiving in that these people, regardless of the scorn they receive, wake everyday with the knowledge of who they are and never apologize for it. Jeff Holmes, through his reverence to words and his profound love of the South, inspired me to teach English, and he taught me how to be proud of being southern."
- Dr. Gwendolyn N. Hale, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of English/ Writing Center Coordinator
Savannah State University
Savannah, GA
"He's the illegitimate father of lit-rock and could've launched Americana—yet Jeff Holmes still keeps a day job after two decades of great songwriting. It's a dashing "I'm the biologist who's gonna save the world" kind of day job, but Renaissance men should be free to let the art come first… The only other consistency has been Holmes' ability to write incredibly indulgent music that's catchy and appealing. He's a timid intellectual at heart, but also a wordy bastard who's fearless in mining classic pop territory. That's enough to qualify him as a true outsider artist, but without the extra chromosome."
- J.R, Taylor
Black and White, Birmingham's City Paper
Birmingham, AL
"Pleasurado! has to be the BEST record that Peter Hay has sent my way. It instantly grabbed me (which makes me worry sometimes that the pleasure won't last) but as it turns out, it ain't lettin' go...why have y'all been slumming on satellite?!?! Kidding aside, I'm glad you threw a bone to us terrestrial/streaming stations to juice up our playlists. We've even had positive feedback from online listeners in GA (we're way up in the Great Frozen Wastelands of extreme NW Wisconsin) which is very cool."
-Jeffrey Jones, Music Director/PM Edition Host
WOJB-FM 88.9
Reserve (Hayward) WI
"Jeff Holmes is a masterful storyteller. His Southern Gothic tales buoyed by memorable melodies reward repeated listening. The band's increasingly sophisticated arrangements adding brass and piano to the mix have expanded the rocking little trio into a full-fledged big band that rocks like a charging rhino. The Floatilla have known for years what the rest of the world is still discovering. Sometimes it takes a while..."
- Richard Winham,
WUTC (NPR Affiliate)
Chattanooga, TN
"Meet my dirty little fiendish friend "Pleasurado!," a masterful mix that leaves the listener feeling like a junkie, wanting MORE. Simply put, start to finish, Pleasurado is perfection. Now is time for the masses to discover what rabid fans have known for years... The Floating Men are here, and they are a force to be reckoned with. Go quietly... I promise you won't be disappointed."
- Emily Boldon, Format Director,
Cumulus Media Group, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
"…..so there is background music and, when and where appropriate, it's a lovely addition to our listening world. However, the floating men do not play background music. if you aren't into listening to literate lyrics and catchy melodies that will stick in your head and nice harmonies and beats that get your foot tappin' and may lead to having a shot of tequila.….then you won't like the floating men. Find the nearest elevator and enjoy background music."
-Eddie Owen
Eddie's Attic
Decatur, GA
("... a joint The Floating Men have been playing for 16 years" - EO)
"Having booked Jeff for the first time and hearing him play for the first time, I didn't know what to expect. What I witnessed was a strong performance, superb storytelling and blistering guitar. And almost as amazing was watching The Floatillia's immersing themselves into the being that is Jeff Holmes."
Robin Coleman
Segment of Society Productions
Indianapolis, IN
