=Keith Morris=

In "Candyapolis," the fears ("Little Cameron"), fantasies ("Rainbow Rollercoaster"), and follies ("Candy Apples") of the child mingle with the part in everyone that never grows up. Childhood wonder ("Snow Day") co-exists with loss of innocence ("Billie Weir's Dress"). Keith Morris' album of twisted lullabies evokes that intersection in toe-tapping barnburners with raucous choruses and in quiet melodies ("October Lullaby"). Morris has found a perfect partner to realize his gentle lunatic dream in co-producer Jeff Romano and his Charlottesville regulars. Morwenna Lasko's fiddle alternately swings hard and sways gently ("October Lullaby"). Sandy Grey (electric guitar) and Romano (harmonica) catch fire in a duet (Daniel Johnston's "Caspar the Friendly Ghost") over Jennifer Morris's perfectly screwball la-la-las. Richelle Claiborne's backing vocals are a force of nature ("Cross-Eyed John, Ain't Got No Brain"). Part-if not all-of Morris lives in Candyapolis. You live completely in the real world. But when you catch yourself humming, "Cross-Eyed John," better check your address.
--David Kleiner // Minor 7th  

Few artists could walk you through the varied nooks and neighborhoods of Candyapolis and make them real, in all their grime and glory, and breathe them to life, without somehow stealing away their magic. Keith Morris leads this tour like a true street hustler/spirit guide.
--Danny Schmidt // songwriter  

Like some rambling, twisted Garrison Keillor children’s story where whimsical monsters battle Satchel Paige for sugary carnival treats, there’s enough lyrical inventiveness and good humor here to warrant multiple listens, and fans of the genre might find this a new favorite.
--Cripsy Duck // Cvillain.com  

I thoroughly love this album. Voice, songs, production--all classic. I was engaged at first listen. It sounds like Ryan Adams fronting some kinda alt-country-Leonard Cohen-introspective-grandeur combo (and I mean that in the best possible way.) He's onto something.
--Shannon Wells // Music Columnist, Charlottesville Daily Progress  

Damn fine effort. Achingly beautiful melodies here and there reminded me of the feel of Kurt Wagner's (Lambchop) lyrics and delivery, but without the detached irony.
--Tom House // Songwriter/Musician 

You really HAVE to hear this album! It's so much fun. One of my absolute favorites.
--Paul Curreri // Songwriter/Musician  

Candyapolis covers all the important ground: I can make dinner to it, yes, but also, in the car, or under headphones, I can always find a new lyric, a new reference, or turn of phrase, to wonder at. Jeff Romano's production is wondrously loose and yet entirely bulletproof -- nothing I would change. If ballading Beck had roots as deep, had both driven a cab and taught English in a backwoods Virginia college, perhaps his whine would have the same transporting depth as Keith Morris's.
--Devon Sproule // Songwriter/Musician

Joyous stuff...Candyapolis is a tent revival for backsliding ex-kids. Smart, playful, brave, original, eclectic, literate . . . proof that smiles don't have to be bland.   
--Brady Earnhart // Professor of American Literature, and Singer-Songwriter

If I had heard this album in 2007 it would have easily been in my Top 5 albums for the entire year.  As it stands right now, it’s still one of the best things I’ve heard in ‘08.  A work of incredible beauty. 
--Shaun Harvey // Cville Muse