"Mark's new album ROCKS like nobody's business! The lyrics are gr8. Deep, yet singable; you wont forgot them anytime soon and they have so much meaning. His voice comes out surprisingly strong on the album. Overall it's the best album I've heard in a long time."
One of the Best Hootie Albums
ebow_the_letter | WV, USA | 02/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"You could say that this (along with Musical Chairs) may be the best Hootie-related album after Cracked Rear View. These are more than pass-overs for Hootie records (the moving City By a River is the only one the whole band was in on writing). The guitar work here is definetely his best yet and more diverse than on Hootie albums. The songs cover a broad emotional spectrum and several could have been hits if this wonderful album had the promotion it deserved. I highly recommend this to anyone fan who wants intelligent, heart-felt rock and roll. It may be three years old now, but its still in heavy rotation in my CD player."
A strong solo performance
ebow_the_letter | 04/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Being a great song writer and having an excellent ear for making catchy tunes will take you a long way. Sure, his voice is not that of Darius but it proves that there is a whole lot of talent in that band just waiting to come out. Every song stands on its own and further proves Mark is truly talented even without Darius, Dean and Soni alongside. A great solo recording that deserves a listen from all Hootie fans (and that's a lot of people)."
Mark Bryan is the BEST!
ebow_the_letter | 03/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am so glad Mark Bryan finally released these songs. I am the biggest Hootie & The Blowfish fan and have heard these songs over the years. Everyone should blast this CD from their car all summer."
Pop like a Bullet
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/18/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
""30 on the Rail" is a good set of solo tunes penned by Mark Bryan. If one expects this to be a Blowfish clone, you'll go crazy. But taken on its merits, this is a great pop/rock set that shoots straight like a bullet. Peter Holsapple from the db's & Continental Drifters lends a hand with piano & organ. Producer Don Dixon whose solo "Invisible Man" CD was an idiosyncratic delight adds bass & background vocals. This set was recorded in '96 & '97, but not released by Atlantic until 2000. The one song cowritten with his Blowfish buddies "Cry By a River" is a slow track with a pretty melody, "And if I should wake tomorrow to a sky that's dull & grey, would you remind me that you're behind me?" "Drinkin' You Pretty" has a kind of sloshing energy based on the premise that given enough liquor, any woman can become an object of momentary affection. "Just Takes Time" is a laid-back tune with Holsapple's pretty piano. "2 Guys Named Tim" is a midtempo pretty pop track with Bryan's vocals used to good effect. At the end of the CD, I guess it's Bryan who howls out, "I can't play this s**t any more!" It's an odd way to comment on one's music, but the set holds up well although there is no single blockbuster breakout track to serve as a calling card. Enjoy!"