Tom Hipps: Press

“Rewarding listening... Plenty of radio-friendly material which could bring Tom Hipps deserved exposure.”

“Fans loved it!”

“Tom Hipps has been blessed with songwriting skills, and a voice, of undeniable substance.”

“A wonderful piece of music that channels its message well. Very well produced and performed.”

“Our listeners had good reactions to the songs.
In a few days we will put the FULL ALBUM on our playlists.”

“I really enjoyed Everybody & Their Brother. A unique sound… it made me keep listening! The songs are solid.”

“Enjoyed this CD and the spirit that was evident in all the tracks. Great rhythmic feel throughout (reminiscent of early America, e.g. "Horse With No Name").”

“Tom Hipps has released a great album… a real gem.”

Everybody & Their Brother is the first solo record by the popular Minneapolis singer/songwriter Tom Hipps. The album's updeat ditty "Tears In A Bottle" sets a bright and cheery mood, but the subject matter belies the musical tone by dealing with the sadness in the world. Tom uses a sort of musical irony to leave the listener curious and wanting to dig deeper to root out truth. Although this is Christian music, it is refreshingly honest. As with most of Tom's folk rock musings, he offers hope in the midst of the trials and storms we all must endure in life. "11th Day of May" is a power-pop nugget with a driving drum loop groove that almost hides the fact that the author is wondering "who is God?" and "why does he live so far away?" Yet still the hope of heaven seems to be a thread that winds through much of his material and perhaps binds his faith together. Raw, honest, and emotionally presented, this is a fine first effort by a unique talent. Step inside... Everybody & Their Brother is here.

Then Went The Demons is the sophomore effort from Minneapolis-based artist Tom Hipps. His latest offering is a bit edgier than his debut record Everybody & Their Brother, but like its predecessor, remains true to Tom's folk rock essence and is steeped in melody, well-placed harmonies and deep lyrical passion. The album title, inspired by a stained glass window in a small-town Minnesota church, alludes to the pervasive theme of the album - fighting and conquering our demons through the blood of Christ. With jangly guitars and a counter melody weaving through the wistful chorus, the first track "Take You Down" takes you back to a time when R.E.M. and Matthew Sweet were dominating the musical landscape of the times. Tom uses modern-day language and pop culture imagery to translate the messages of God's word to a culture full of distraction and passivity. In "Back To You", Tom symbolically uses physical fitness to illustrate the need to stay "spiritually fit" by emphasizing the Apostle Paul's comparison of life to an athletic event. Tom uses his gifts to explore the condition of human life through the eyes of someone who's "been there and done that". By using the wisdom gained through difficult and trying times, he is able to demonstrate that the trials we experience in life ultimately produce a stronger, more beautiful version of what we once were. As Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, experience is the vehicle by which it travels. Join Tom as he sings songs of and to the Savior and discover that, as Jesus died and was raised from the dead, Then Went The Demons.