NY ROCK by Jeanne Fury
Review of our performance at Ladyfest East 2002
"ONE & TWENTY captured a celebratory rock 'n soul spirit that so many Ladyfest East bands simply didn?t. Carol Thomas and company got audience members onstage for one big shake-ya-groove-thing fest. Don't miss the band when they bring the goods your way."

 

WOMANROCK by Thomas Schulte
Review of our CD "I Don't Remember Falling"
ONE & TWENTY is a quartet with a funky side to their rock-n-roll. Featured in this ensemble is the powerful, soulful voice of vocalist Carol Thomas. Thomas, a black woman and guitarist, takes One & Twenty down an R&B-inspired style path not usually encountered in rock groups. Having originally started as an acoustic outfit, I Don't Remember Falling finds the group having entirely fallen in love with electric rock and performing the original music boldly. If Nina Simone, with a lyric similar to Thomas, had decided to go rock and roll, the result would have been something like One & Twenty.

NYROCK by Bill Ribas
Review of our CD "I Don't Remember Falling"
"How many times have you seen a black woman leading a rock band?..." begins the flyer that came with the disc, and if they all sounded as smoking as this disc, I'd reply, not often enough. Carol Thomas has a bold and powerful voice, plays a solid rhythm guitar, and with her bandmates fires up a mix of rocking and introspective tunes. On "Bass Line," the guitar leads by Mike Bloom positively sizzle as Thomas urgently advises a lover. And on the slower songs, like "Poor Orphelia," again it's the combination of lead guitar and vocals that are front and center and define the song. But let's not forget the rhythm section of bassist Jon Chazen and drummer Clyde Alford, who together lay a solid foundation. I'd hazard a comparison to Joan Armatrading, since both artists share a commitment to songwriting, crafting the musical and lyrical side intently. Here is a disc to savor, to be enveloped by, to fall into. Thanks to One & Twenty, the listener gets the feeling that the world's a better place."

ROCKRGRRL MAGAZINE by Kathleen Warnock
Review of our CD "I Don't Remember Falling"
"Carol Thomas plays rhythm guitar and wails in a huge voice in front of crunchy guitar licks. Surrounded by musicians on a similar wavelength..., One & Twenty plays mad, sad, intelligent rock. Thomas's voice is the fifth instrument."

GO GIRLS MUSIC by Deborah Keith
Review of our CD "I Don't Remember Falling"
"With its a cappella opener for "Beekman Place" One-and-Twenty grabs the listener's attention with deep soulful lyrics delivered with the rich beautiful voice of Carol Thomas. Poetic lyrics describing one's soulful search for life's meaning and need for human connection are complimented by equally good musical arrangements and fine musicianship. "I Don't Remember Falling" should prove to be a winner for this up and coming east-coast band."

WOMEN OF MP3.COM
Check out our 11/29/00 feature on "The Women of MP3.com." Carol's interviewed and re-tells her infamous "glitter" story!

VILLAGE VOICE by Maya Kremen
Article describing Carol Thomas involvement in the organizing of Ladyfest East 2001 - 09/01, and
ONE &TWENTY's performance at the May 2001 benefit.
"...Carol Thomas, a black female lead singer with a stage presence somewhere between Aretha Franklin and Billy Crystal—took control. Thomas has a low, pretty voice, and her backup band works hard to turn out the kind of jam-funk this crowd would usually hate. The room loves her."

Click HERE for the entire VOICE article.

 

@LMANAC, by Sharon Nichols
Woodstock Times (and 6 other area papers!)
PICK OF THE WEEK
"How many times have you seen a black woman leading a kick-ass rock band? asks Carol Thomas of One and Twenty. Hmm...lemme think about that. Jazz? Sure. Blues? Uh-huh. Reggae? Of course. Rock? Um...probably never. She's right. It ain't that common.

Thomas is the songwriter, lead singer, guitarist and driving force behind the New York City quartet whose groovy, finky, rockin' sounds have been her emotional emancipation since 1995. "It's the freedom to explore honest emotions and feel without distraction," she says. Thomas formed One and Twenty--whose name came from a poem about cynicism and love by A.E. Houseman--and they regularly played at the Rhinecliff Hotel, Tinker Street Cafe and Cabaloosas before branching out all over the northeast.

Thomas, a finalist in the 1998 Lilith Fair Talent Search, has been accused of conjuring Grace Slick, Bessie Smith, Janis Joplin and Anne Wilson with her raging vocals. Teamin up with drummer Clyde Alford, bassist Jon Chazen and guitarist John Hickey, they recently released their debut CD, I Don't Remember Falling, describing it as honest, involving and relevant music with soul and conscience--which ain't that common in rock either... Give your ears a wakeup call, your minds some expansion and see Carol Thomas rock."

MUSICTV.COM
"Amazing vocals, totally outrageous guitar work bring this quartet to your attention at once. The lead vocalist is extremely talented and well played, and once you get into this band you just want more and more. Rather more bluesy than rock, the licks and the lyrics have that sort of feel while still embracing the modern rock genre. We certianly appreciate the intense voice and expansive talent pool in this group."

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
"Next up as ONE & TWENTY, who kept the energy flowing and the crowd moving with a scintillating and appropriately titled opener "Shaken & Cold". Second song "Beekman Place" is a funky and percolating masterpiece that should be all over the radio. Lead singer/rhythm guitarist/songwriter Carol Thomas has a powerhouse voice which handles emotion, strength, and sensitivity with equal skill....With amazing songs, musicianship, and Carol Thomas' exceptional vocal talents, ONE & TWENTY is definitely a band to check out and watch their development."