By Gary Wien
originally published: 08/20/2008
4 1/2 stars (out of 5)
There's really no better way to review a new CD by Maybe Pete than by popping open a bottle of cheap Merlot, so here goes...
"Straight to Red" is the second full-length disc by the North Jersey / Jersey Shore rock and roll band. Their first disc took several years and the songs were basically greatest hits for their fans by the time it was released, thankfully this one came out much sooner and fans will even find a few surprises in store for them.
The best news is that the band's songs continue to progress and get better and better. After one show this summer, I told lead singer, Frankie McGrath, that it's rather amazing that the band could put together an insanely good show and NOT even do most of their most popular songs. It's a testament to their songwriting and this CD is a great step forward for the band. Maybe Pete has always been a band that some have felt wore their influences a bit too close to the music; while, one can definitely hear influences by bands like the Rolling Stones, The Replacements, The Ramones, and Bruce Springsteen - this record basically shows a signature songwriting style is emerging. The songs are romantic tales of the city - New York City to be specific - and the lyrics blend with the gritty punk / rock and roll music behind them to form an honest portrayal of the world they see outside their window. With any luck, radio stations from that world may start playing this disc because there's more than enough quality tunes ready for airplay.
The CD kicks off with "Last One Standing" - a track that is a bit of an odd choice in my opinion. I think I get what the band was after (the song could be looked upon almost as a summary of the tales of the city to be found throughout the disc) but I think it probably would have worked better farther into the record rather than leading off. The song doesn't sound anything like what you'd expect from the band and the vocals seem a bit distant. The guitar work is pretty good, but it's not enough to make me appreciate this as the kick off to an otherwise great disc.
The second track is the one I would have led off with - "Another Cigarette". This song not only is an ode to Frankie McGrath's cat but if you listen closely at the beginning you can even hear the cat for a brief moment! Already one of the new favorites of their live show, this has to be considered one of their best songs to date.
"Hideaway" - another regular to their live show - follows and shows hints of Little Steven in the songwriting. It's a great song that showcases the way Maybe Pete is able to blend their NYC punk roots with their love of Jersey Shore tunes.
One of the first surprises on the disc is "Kite", a wonderfully dreamy little love song with lines like:
"Monday morning neon light
I'm still thinking about last night
No matter where you set your sights
I'll be the sky when you fly your kite"
"Someplace We've Never Been" follows with an ode to the carnival/boardwalk life done in an almost country-twinged style, sort of as if The Band wrote a song about spending a night in Asbury Park during the 1970s. There is some brilliant guitar work late in the song.
One of my favorite songs of the disc (and of the Maybe Pete catalog) is next - "This Town". This is a perfect example of the Maybe Pete songwriting style coming into focus. Here's a tremendous story of a couple falling in love in New York City with both each other as well as the city itself.
"There's a sax man up on the corner
playing a sweet soul tune.
I get lost in all the buildings
and how they stretch right up to the moon.
But the way you look across the table
as you put your wine glass down,
that's what I dig most about this town."
Perhaps the best surprise cut on Straight to Red is "Battery Park 3/14/06" - this is simply another beautiful tune that tells the story of an amazing day spent in the city. The songwriting again tells a clear story with wonderful imagery and a solid hook for the chorus that sticks with you and makes you think as well.
"As the mist rises above the harbor,
and absolves all my sins
I wonder, will it ever be like this again?"
The next to last song is "Too Far to Fall" which is a pretty solid rock and roll tune, but nothing special. It sounds good, but might be too slick. Far from filler, but definitely not one of the best tracks on the disc.
Closing out the CD is "Through the Static" which is everything that "Too Far to Fall" is not. This song continues the storytelling style and consistent theme of how wishes, the road and music are somehow all connected. It's a theme that Maybe Pete has looked into before and one in which they seem very comfortable talking about. I could easily see this song becoming a fan favorite. It's also a great way to end the record.
Fans of Maybe Pete will love this record! It's always nice to see a band grow and get better with each new song. Maybe Pete is doing that right now. This record is much better than their first one and that record contained songs they had been playing for years. What that tells me is that the band is starting to hit their stride. Pick up a copy of Straight to Red and see for yourself.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
EVENT PREVIEWS
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
