Press:

“What We Loved This Year Top 10 CD's Local Music “February Sessions” by Mike Grutka After 2009’s long-labored-over “Ria,” Saratoga Springs songwriter Grutka took the RPM Challenge, writing and recording all of these 11 songs during the shortest month of the year. It’s raw and unpolished, but these songs are perhaps the best Grutka has ever written, his friendly melodies and vocals feeling completely at ease and lived in.”
Brian McElhiney - The Daily Gazette

“No question about it, this is Grutka’s best work yet. Titled “February Sessions,” the album was written and recorded during February, 2010, as part of the annual RPM Challenge The lone exception to the RPM Challenge restrictions is “Lullabye,” which was recorded live at WEXT-FM, it neatly wraps up the album on a softer, sweeter note. Michael Stipe and R.E.M. remain Grutka’s most obvious influences – especially on the opening, shimmering swirl of “Circle”. The bouncy “La La Song” melds power pop with a ’70s country-rock feel. “She Said” is a nostalgic but optimistic ballad about loss, fueled by a gentle hip-hop shuffle beat. Chugging rhythms, close vocal harmonies and some deep twang guitar riffs keep “This Is” rolling down the track. Not as polished as “Ria,” “February Sessions” is looser. It has a much stronger live vibe, which of course is difficult to grab onto when you’re working in a studio all by yourself. But Grutka nails it nicely”
Greg Haymes - nippertown.com

“There are few artists out there anymore that transcend. The type of artists that used to take you away from the mundane of the everyday, and deliver you into spaces of passion, emotion and soul. With the harmonies of their voice and the magic behind their music they wouldn’t just create songs; they created worlds. Mike Grutka has created such a world, and it’s called Ria. ”
Zack Daggy - The Mothpod

“Grutka’s got some serious talent...Best of all, he’s got the songs. Smart tunes with the requisite Beatles-pop roots, to be sure, but he stretches out beyond the usual pop protocol – especially on the majestic “Goodbye” – without abandoning accessibility. Ultimately, “Ria” is admirable. The songs, the arrangements and the vision are all there. I can’t wait to hear what he does next.”
Greg Haymes - Nippertown

“Mike Grutka is hell bent on never sticking to any one musical style. He hops – chameleon-like – from genre to genre. The best Grutka is one that digs old R.E.M. recordings, and even older Byrds discs. “Denver (Spinning Around)” ... brings to mind those days back when Michael Stipe mumbled his lyrics and nobody cared. Grutka mentions at one point: “Walking out will set you free/When I finally left the path they’d shown me.” This last line, in particular, suggests that true happiness is only discovered when one sets out to make his or her own path. ...the jaunty pop of “Denver (Spinning Around)” is so enjoyable, another 11 songs nearly like it wouldn’t at all be a bad thing. It’s the sort of song that sounds like a hit. It’s also the kind of song you’d likely turn up loud if you heard it on the radio. Mike Grutka has a lot of fine music in him. One has to wonder what else he has up his sleeve. ”
Dan MacIntosh - Review You