"I had the pleasure of recording some drum tracks for Mitch and was blown away by his creative pop sensibilities. He is one of the best singer song writers out there with a unique voice all his own. If modern day radio was not so screwed up, his songs would be all over it" Aaron Comess, Spin Doctors
"Linker has a tremendously fresh sense of melody......his song "Break up the band" is a song I wish I wrote. The melody climbs right into your ear and stays there and you find yourself playing the track again and again."
Chris Trapper, The Push Stars
"The second you hear Mitch Linker's songs and voice, you hear what's missing from much of today's music - Talent! Songs that make a huge impression from the first listen." Pete Moshay, A Pawling Studios
Following on from last year's "America" EP, probably the strongest we heard in 2006, Mitch Linker returns with his second full album proper. And it has to be said that if you've got the EP, then the album might disappoint you initially as it's essentially a mix of all 5 songs collected on it coupled with 5 new tracks. As a refresher, at least 4 of the 5 original songs were works of absolute genius the title track bemoaning the state of the US at this moment in time, the catchier than herpes "West Side," the remixed "Time on My Hands" (here for a third time good job it's such an amazing track as few artistes would get away with it like Linker does) and the title track (of this new record), "Learn How to Love" which falls on the right side of emotional without being overly mawkish. The new tracks here fare almost as well the opening "Bright Side" with its towering chorus, the creepingly beautiful "Easy" and the thumping drive of "Wonder." There's few people around who can write a three minute pop song with as much ease as Linker, and above all else, the fact that this is the equivalent of £4 to buy should mean it‚s a compulsive purchase - worth a pint and a half whatever you're drinking.
- Americana UK (October 2007)
Learn How To Love is the feel good record of 2007. Sure, it's a no brain-er to compare singer-songwriter Mitch Linker to the finest piano pop maestros past or present, from Burt to Brian to Elton to Todd to Rufus, however this artist's fresh approach to a time-tested genre is rather extraordinary. It's the little things that make Love a winner; the Stax like horn blasts which raise the pulse on "Bright Side," the menacing blues licks to jumpstart "Wonder," or Linker's sultry baritone humming to introduce "Indian Summer Wind." Only an artist of Linker's cheery disposition could take the piss out of Bush's America in "America" which surprisingly morphs from a torch song to a campy romp in the second verse - surely Linker could peddle this ditty to CNN, Fox News, or Comedy Central. No surprise that Linker placed second in a recent John Lennon Songwriting Competition as "Far Away" could easily fit on Imagine. Who says they don't make 'em like they used to? All you need is Love?
- Amplifier Magazine, Tom Semioli (September 2007)
Connecticut based Mitch Linker sports a streamlined pop-rock sound that will be pleasing to fans of Owsley and Ben Folds. Although he's American, there's a faint British inflection to his vocals, possibly a result of growing up listening to his influences. Like many pop greats, Linker writes his songs on piano, and it shows; he ventures beyond the I-IV-V structure favored by many guitar-based writers. Linker was a runner up in the John Lennon Songwriting Contests in both 2002 and 2003, and has fared well in other competitions as well.
A highlight on his latest Learn How to love is the 70's styled "Bright Side," featuring upbeat horn charts for added interest. Once you've fallen in love with the new disc, you can work backward through his catalog (a 2005 solo debut plus one album as part of The Day Traders, and three albums with The Dent. ) Visit his web site ad mitchlinker.com and pick up Learn How to Love from CD Baby. - Skope Magazine (March/April 2008)
This is the long-awaited follow up to Mitch's critically acclaimed 2005 solo debut. Die-hard fans will recognize a number of these tracks, as many of them have appeared on other albums (prior solo EPs and albums by The Dent) albeit in different forms, mixed or mastered differently or sung in a foreign language. But even if some of it sounds familiar, taken together in this order, with this brand-new, crystal clear master, it's worth a listen. It's Mitch at his most polished, cohesive, melodic, and happy. While he commonly describes his music as a cross between Fountains Of Wayne, Rufus Wainwright, Brian Wilson, Elton John, Paul Simon and Billy Joel, he's really more like a one man Abba! "His songwriting continues to evolve and is better than ever. He has delivered a solid sophomore effort, a truly enjoyable album from start to finish. As a person with a short attention span, my personal acid-test for a winning album is that it seems to end too soon, and this one certainly does. While the songs may appear simple at first, after listening through, their complexity becomes apparent. All the while that you're taking in the story and the many subtle 'layers' of meaning, the melodies sneak up on you and become hard-wired. Don't be surprised if you start humming his melodies incessantly or just full on singing his sumptuous songs in the shower! This is '70s-style power pop at it's absolute best!" EXCELLENT!
- Kool Kat Musik (September 2007)
"Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than the sound of perfectly-realized melodic pop being created by a master of the form. One-half of the Day Traders, once a member of Connecticut art-poppers, the Dent, and now a solo artist, Mitch Linker is one such master. His melodic gifts are a collective treasure; to listen to him ply his trade on this album’s 11 songs is a joy and a marvel and more joy and marveling than this may be more than one person can stand, but I doubt it. In fact, Linker’s sweet-voiced approach to pop is so innate that his performances seem absolutely effortless, so natural as to be almost as second-nature as breathing. Linker’s melodies go skin deep to the soul like a ballerina’s musical moves; his melodic, assured vocals are heaven-sent; and his first solo album is one of the freshest breaths of air you will breathe in this or any year. Every one of these songs, these glorious songs, is a perfect encapsulation of what makes pop music so wonderful. So, the highest of 11 highlights, then: the entrancing, emotional vocal of the ballad “Holding On”; the romantic mood of the majestic “I’ll Talk You Down,” buoyed by particularly affecting background vocals in the fade; and the simply astounding ballad “New York,” in which the Big Apple is a metaphor for facing the reality of one’s goals. Then there is the hauntingly beautiful opener, “All of the Love”; and the jaunty, poppy, should-be-a-single, you-won’t-be-able-to-get-it-out-of-your-head “Want Me Around”; and this album’s best song, the so-catchy-it-hurts “Break Up the Band,” which sports one of this year’s most infectious choruses." Alan Haber, Pure Pop Radio/Buhdge.com
"MITCH LINKER makes wonderful power pop music on par with Ben Folds Five, Simple Plan, Something Cooperate, The Beatles, and all good things melodic and nice. Great singing, songwriting, and production! An A plus for this man's report card! Bravo!" Jeremy Morris, Jam Recordings
“This solo debut showcases an extraordinary talent and something that has been missing from music at large - depth of content surrounded by irresistible sounds and ambitious song-craft. The over-the-top ambition on display here can only highlight that Linker is looking to be associated with such artists as Jon Brion, Cherry Twister Brian Wilson and early 70`s Elton John. His voice is pretty, inviting, intoxicating, filling the listener with the beautiful sounds he creates, while the song arrangements captures the high-brow essence and creates a lush pop backdrop for the listener to dwell in as Linker`s voice soothes and puts a smile on your face.” Bruce Brodeen, Notlame.com
"Mitch Linker could be the Tony Blair of modern day hook laden pop music..........in that listening to his first solo record, you get the idea Linker not only tries but succeeds in being all things to all people. As a former member of both the Connecticut based band The Dent and then one half of the Day Traders, Linker’s clearly had over a decade of preparation to make an album that works on so many levels, and work it does. Kicking off with “All of the Love” sounding like a kind of Ben Folds/ Brian Wilson hybrid, Linker goes on to sound like the Fountains of Wayne (“Break Up the Band”), Tal Bachman (“Want Me Around”) and even “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” era Elton John (unbelievably so on “Time on My Hands”). Despite having so many obvious similarities to such a range of artists, Linker’s claim to viable originality is that he writes terrific songs – and when the songs themselves are so good that they could quite easily have been out-takes from old albums from the said mentioned artists, you get some idea of the standard of the record as a whole. Honest and unpretentious, it’s certainly among the top five pop records of 2005." Mark Whitfield, Americana-UK.com
"Mitch Linker's self-titled debut album is absolutely complete both lyrically and musically. This is pure, joyful pop music, the kind that brings a smile to your face even on a dreary rainy day. If you can imagine Elton John and Billy Joel backed by The Beach Boys, you'll have a pretty good idea where Mitch Linker is coming from." Tony Sison, All Access Magazine
"On his solo debut, Linker channels the spirit of classic Brian Wilson, Elton John, and Paul Simon and creates something refreshingly new." Brian Hunt, NYC Music Critic
"....if Rufus Wainwright joined the Fountains of Wayne, you'd have something that sounds a lot like Mitch Linker's solo album." CD Baby
"Brand new solo album from the voice of The Dent and The Day Traders! Chock full of beautiful, hook-filled, 70’s-inspired singer-songwriter pop that’s sure to please! Vocally, Mitch has some Glenn Tilbrook going on! Well done!! EXCELLENT!!" Kool Kat Musik
The Day Traders debut selected for the 2005 Kweevak.com "Music Project of the Year."
