Chris Batten and The Woods - Fearless
By John Pfeiffer
The Aquarian

      "...After the release of their stellar new EP If We Never Stop Moving, they've been true to that motto. They are not about following trends, but about delivering soul laden performances coupled with timeless songwriting..."

Unsigned and Feelin' Fine
The Aquarians 3rd annual unsigned artist feature
By Patrick Slevin, Amanda Hansult
The Aquarian Weekly

      "...Unsigned? Huh, are you serious? As fate may have it, there are so many bands that are overshadowing the music of those that are shoved in our faces every day as "popular" music on the ever-dulling radio stations. So far, Chris Batten and The Woods have yet to reach what so many industry execs qualify as "mainstream success," but if you ask me, they're already there - record companies just don't know it yet, and they're missing out..."

Artist Spotlight: Chris Batten & The Woods
AmieStreet.com

      "...Chris Batten and The Woods have debuted on Amie Street with just one song, but luckily it's a strong one and will keep us in anticipation of their full "If We Never Stop Moving..." EP. Gone For Good is a nice example of soul music in the truest aspect of the genre - convincing and heavy with feeling..."

Bottling that 'soulful thing'
By Mike Kerwick
Bergen County Record

      "...But as Batten and The Woods prepare for tonight's show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, they feel as if their ship is no longer taking on water. They have the sound they want and a collection of New York area gigs in support of the new EP..."

Chris Batten and The Woods
By Melody Geear
Indie In Tune.com

      "...Impressive tonality, engaging lyrics, and pure sweet rock, the songs are comforting like a fresh blanket from the dryer while still offering the kick to the senses like the first dive into a pool. The Woods have a gift in their vocal lead, a unique and appealing voice that can stand out from the crowd of analogous rock bands and withstand the test of a 60 minute disc..."

Putting The Heart And Soul Back in Rock and Roll
By Sean Lyddon
The Aquarian / East Coast Rocker

      "...Chris Batten and The Woods hope so inspire as much emotion with their music as they invest in it, and seek to transcends age and genre gaps. Their plot has been worming its way to fruition, with their music appealing to a wide age range and apparently speaking to enough people to fill venues..."

Live Review
By Martin Halo
The Aquarian

      "...At the stroke of midnight, Batten & The Woods took the stage to a room packed with an overwhelming number of faithful, jumpstarting the evening with a proclamation of "I feel like dancing!" They convincingly commanded the attention of the entire room, and stand as a rare credible musical entity - a feat that is becoming of only a few bands which are rising to the top of the Jersey musical landscape..."

Central Jersey Roots-rockers Offer Holiday Parties this Weekend
By Casey Nitsch
Courier News

      "... The central Jersey based roots-rock band will present their fourth annual Christmas Show in New Brunswick. The events popularity continues to grow, with the last three years selling out..."

Rolling Stone: Schools That Rock
By Jenny Eliscu

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ:
      "...Chris Batten and the Woods and more make regular appearances, music festivals are common (like the annual Diamondpalooza), local and touring bands play every weekend..."

Jumpstarting the Pulse of American Rock And Roll
By Martin Halo
The Aquarian

      "...Music is becoming manufactured to a point where if a band isn't extremely polished or their bassist isn't doing spinning jump kicks, then they don't have a chance of getting a record deal. Chris Batten & The Woods are joining modern contemporaries who are vowing to stay true to the traditions of American rock and roll..."

27th Annual Raritan River Festival
By Sam Missimer

      "...Their sound evokes the best of classic rock, but their lyrics, energy, and attitude are as fresh as today's headlines, proudly carrying on the tradition of smart, concise, slice-of-life-with-a-killer-hook songwriting... "

Live Review from Gavin DeGraw Show
By Annie Reuter
Rutgers Daily Targum

      "...Students were impressed with Chris Batten and the Woods. "I really enjoyed the opening Artist. Out of all the concerts I've seen, they were the best opening act," said Jess Frey, a Douglas College sophomore... "

On The Brink of Becoming Local Legends
By James Caverly
Inside Beat 

      "...After opening to a sold out crowd for Nils Lofgren, guitarist of the E-Street band, at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, the promoter booked them at the Stone Pony again with E-Street violinist Soozie Tyrell..."

Chris Batten & The Woods Take Hub City With Bluesy Sound
By Chris Jordan
Home News Tribune

      "...I think the whole music industry is ready for something new. All the bands are starting to sound the same. We may be reaching that point where every 10 years something comes along and saves it again..."

Self Titled EP Review
By Al Muzer
East Coast Rocker

      "... Five of six tracks on this outstanding EP are passionate, confessional, well-written loud 'n' loose rockers that explode with an unbridled energy, Stones like swagger, and Batten's do-or-die desire to some how, some way get it all off his chest. The exception, a wistful, gently churning Toad-The-Wet-Springsteen alt-twang thinker called "Driver" that lays it all on the line... "

They've got the Swagger
By Gary Wien
Upstage Magazine

      "...Their live shows feature a non-stop explosion of energy, with band members jumping around, sweating to the tilt, and giving their all on stage. It's an intense experience, which is why the band is quickly asked back to every venue they play... "

Over The River and Through the Woods to RutgersFest
By Chris Dela Cruz
Rutgers Daily Targum

      "...These renegades have managed to win over many fans and have earned their spot at Rutgersfest this spring, and they've done it with pure musicianship and songwriting ... Although they're down to earth guys, they had a confidence about them that was reflected in their hard-hitting performance... "

BandBio: Band Draws on Passion of Classic Rock
By John Majeski
Asbury Park Press

      "...Their goal? To resurrect the sound of classic rock 'n' roll while maintaining a modern, indie-rock twist... "

Self-titled EP Review
By J-Sin
Smother

      "...This EP finds a healthy helping of rhythm and blues (thats right, NOT the bastardized cousin heard on popular radio and MTV) and rock and roll. Sure to get the garage rocker kids hyped, this self-titled EP has the swagger and saw marks of great rock... "

Top Ten CD's of 2005
By Gary Wein
Upstage Magazine

Interview with Wondermore Records
Monthly CD Club Spotlight

      "... In the end, it's all about the song, the feeling of it all. You need to connect with an audience on a higher level and not just a catch melody. If you win your audience on catchiness alone it will be a passing fad, but if you can get them to feel what you are feeling, they will be with you for the long run... "

Exit 9 U-turn
By Chris Jordan
Pulse

      "...We're tagging the night a little bit of country, punk, rock and roll, and a lot of booze," said promoter Brian Boise of Rutgers University WRSU's Overnight Sensations... "