"Arizona" -- which was originally recorded for RSP's 2008 debut LP Dog St. -- snarls and sizzles on the strength of crunchy guitars, as front-man Mike Roi put his pipes to the test, belting out a infectiously catchy chorus. "Drove all night just to get to Arizona, drove all night just to get to you," Roi howls as the rest of the band slams down the accelerator.
Dusin Schoof- Dustinschoof.com nov.2016

ROI AND THE SECRET PEOPLE CD Review
“Phoenix”
Review by Michael “Jacobs' McKenna
Steel Notes Magazine

 

They have a unique way of describing their music. “One part Elvis Costello, one Part Tom Petty, one part Nick Lowe - poured in highball glass over ice, add garnish. Shaken not stirred”. This does sound tasteful to the ear! Their music crosses the genres of classic rock, with a bit of alternative, topped with a bit of a pop sound, it sort of peaks ones interest.
Here's a wee bit about the gents who make up the band. Up front on vocals and lead guitar is Mike Roi who has credentials that include opening for the likes of The Black Crowes, Midnight Oil, and Marilyn Manson. On drums is Kevin McAdams and Mishal Zeera gives it up on bass and mans the keys. 
Their CD, “Phoenix”, recorded at MoD Studios in NJ, Galiminium Foil Studios and 6th Street Studios in Brooklyn, NY, is a departure from their classic-rock roots and is filled with 10 tracks that will satisfy any discerning individual who is influenced by this multi-genre band. “A Little Pain” is an upbeat pop/rock oriented tune that is so 90's in it's makeup. “Little Bit Closer” is one of those numbers that you just want to crank it up and party. The flow is seamless and energetic! A KILLER CUT! The title track, “Phoenix”, is in the MOR mold that sees Mishal's piano work in prominence which nicely accentuates this track. 
“Drive” features pumping, pulsating percussion in a intelligent flow that compliments this composition. Infectious hook! “Brotherhood of Man” is a lyrical masterpiece, '...face the master plan, promises like grains of sand, like water in your hand...', the harmonies rock. “Burnout” features some nice retro sounding string work and a rustic sounding melody. 
“O'Love” has a nice Tom Petty feel to it. “Sweet Maria” explodes from the door with a bit of a rock-a-billy type string riff, tight harmonies that sustain and a pulsing snare. “Throwing Stones” should make programmers fall over each other to get that first play! WAY COOL! “Always and Forever” is one of those touching tracks that women would fall over and tug at their heartstrings.
The diverse influences are very evident throughout this effort. The seamless compositions are tied together perfectly by intelligent accompaniment by these talented musicians. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. This CD is a MUST LISTEN! I give this a hearty 2 THUMBS UP!!

reviewingthemusic.wordpress.com. by Amelia Stevenson
 read it here online- https://reviewingthemusic.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/review-roi-and-the-secret-people/
 

I came across this band by chance, and I am so happy that I did! I have been listening to their music non-stop and they have so many feel-good tracks! 

One of my favourite tracks from this band is ‘Hungry’. It has such a good rhythm and you can really hear the strong guitar riffs throughout! I really like the whole track which can also be found on the film soundtrack to the movie, Dead and Deadish. I discovered this band very late, and this was the first song that I actually listened to of theirs. Of course, after hearing this, I was torn between listening to it on repeat or finding more of their tracks to listen to.. I was loving this track! 

I really like the lead singer, Roi’s, vocals on the track ‘Phoenix’. Of course, I enjoy all of their songs, but there is something about Phoenix which makes it special. It is a song which I have had in my head for weeks and I know I will still be listening to it on repeat in many months time! I also really like the music video they have filmed for this track, and I feel it flows nicely with the track itself. 

Drive is another great track from this band, and I think it may be my all-time favourite of theirs. It is one of those tracks that once you hear it, you will immediately want to see this band live. I was extremely impressed when I heard this song and immediately downloaded it. It is one of those songs I can imagine listening to on road trips, in the background whilst doing chores, listening just for the sake of listening to it.. I can just imagine listening to this song everywhere, which in fact is what I have been doing for the past few months. 

After watching a couple of their performances which have been uploaded to their YouTube video, unfortunately I have never seen them live, I was immediately drawn to their stage presence. They are everything you need in a band performance. 

Roi and the Secret People are one of those bands that I was SO happy to have discovered. I constantly listen to their music and I constantly have their songs in my head. I love many of their songs on their album, Phoenix, and another of my favourites is Sweet Maria. I just really enjoy all their songs which is great when finding new bands. This is definitely a band that I will be supporting for a long time!

Roi and the Secret People “Dog ST.” Review by Michael McKenna Steel Notes Magazine
They have a unique way of describing their music. “One part Elvis Costello, one Part Tom Petty, one part Nick Lowe - poured in highball glass over ice, add garnish. Shaken not stirred”. This does sound tasteful to the ear! Their music crosses the genres of classic rock, with a bit of alternative, topped with a bit of a pop sound, it sort of peaks ones interest. The lineup on this, their debut CD, is a bit different from their current lineup. Mike Roi handles the vocals, Joe Roullier plays guitars and the mandolin, Noel Rockwood is on the slide guitar, Dose triples up on bass, drums and some acoustic guitar and Dan Ginden takes care of the keyboards. Black Book Magazine in NYC called Mike Roi one of the eight greatest up and coming artists “who create vibrant, unconventional music in spite of living outside the center of the cool New York.” This 10-track effort was their launch pad as more of the classic rock/hard rock influence is present here. The title track, “Dog ST.” opens things up with Led Zep like guitars, pounding percussion and Mike's magnetic vocals. “Arizona” has a bit of a 70's sound, especially in the harmonies and strings. “Nancy” is up there with The Stones “Angie”. This acoustic track shows the flexibility of the band! “Starshine” has that unique Jersey rock sound eerily similar to Jon Bon Jovi! “Modern Day Samurai” has a bit of that down home country-rock sound that with the addition of a lap steel, would make this a monster. “Mississippi Sun” is a way cool country style tear-jerker. The heartfelt performance that Mike Roi gives is awesome as is the guitar solo. “Keep It Real” brings back that upbeat percussion with the matching guitar riffs and is a fun track to listen to. “Monday” is beyond description, it's that good! My fave on this effort! “Firefly” is an excellent laid back sounding number that is accentuated perfectly by the piano work of Dan Ginden and the acoustic strings. “Lead Me Down” has a gospel sound that one would hear performed in a church. Nice departure from the norm! This CD is a departure from their current effort which rocks hard, but it shows me a side of the band that I had not heard before. Their ability to cross genres is in evidence on this effort. WELL DONE!!
“Roi and the Secret People hit #22 this week in the top 300 indie NYC bands."
Romance is blossoming in Easton, Pennsylvania from an unsigned pop rock/alternative quintet called Roi and the Secret People. Roi and the Secret People will give their listeners that “warm and fuzzy” feeling with their second CD “Phoenix” which will be released in October 2013 featuring ten heartwarming tracks that will feel like a gentle breeze on a sunny day. Roi and the Secret People sound similar to Elvis Costello with their soulful vocals and “rustic” pop rock/ alternative melodies.Romance is blossoming in Easton, Pennsylvania from an unsigned pop rock/alternative quintet called Roi and the Secret People. Roi and the Secret People will give their listeners that “warm and fuzzy” feeling with their second CD “Phoenix” which will be released in October 2013 featuring ten heartwarming tracks that will feel like a gentle breeze on a sunny day. Roi and the Secret People sound similar to Elvis Costello with their soulful vocals and “rustic” pop rock/ alternative melodies.The soothing journey begins with the first track “Little Pain.” This track features soulful vocals and “breezy” alternative pop melodies. This track is a mellow tale about a couple who is deeply in love. This couple is respectful of one another’s feelings. Therefore, there are no worries and life is good. Meanwhile, there is a little bit of nervousness showing in the second track “Little Bit closer.” This track features “soft,” but soulful vocals and cool, “rustic” pop rock melodies. This track is a “gut wrenching” tale about a man who is attracted to a beautiful woman. However, the beautiful woman is ignoring the “love struck” man. So, the man feels like he has been left out in the cold.Finally, the soothing journey ends with the third track “Phoenix.” This track features soulful vocals and “gritty” pop rock melodies, along with the sound of a piano “floating” throughout the track. This track is a heartwarming tale about a man who is out west and spending “quality” time with the woman he loves.Roi and the Secret People are a wonderful unsigned pop rock/alternative quintet that deserves to be heard. This quintet’s second CD “Phoenix” mixes cool, “rustic” pop rock melodies that will “tug” at the heartstrings of listeners everywhere.
 
“Phoenix: Where the hell have I been? I regret not knowing this guy sooner - he is a treasure, Easton, and you better drink him up because with a sound like this he may not be yours for long. This Phoenix is my new favorite Phoenix - jumping ahead of the band Phoenix, The Dark Phoenix Saga. and the University of Phoenix Online (Let's Get to Work!). This polished album sounds like a Nick Lowe produced Elvis Costello LP but with more joy and less anger. He has teamed up with four amazing local musicians including Dan DeChellis on piano, Randy Melick on guitar, Dave Baun on bass, and Craig Martyn on drums to reform his NYC band Roi and the Secret People. His voice is magnetic, like the only best parts of Tom Petty's DNA mixed with an angel's. He deftly glides through soulful lyrics; I would rank him amongst the best lyricists in the Indie scene today. Highlights include "Sweet Maria," "Drive," and "Burnout." Mark my words: Mike Roi is destined for great things.”
 
“Roi and the Secret People’s new album Phoenix is a musical and lyrical journey that fills your imagination like a flock of birds filling the sky. There are so many layers and details that emerge, grow and change that each song is deep and complex, but you never lose the overall feeling of energy and fun. This is a get-up-and-rock band with super tight performances and really, really great songwriting.”
 
“The incredible group Roi and The Secret People Announce the Release of Their First CD, Dog St. "Roi and the Secret People have a great unique sound, a lot of talent and excellent production quality."
 
“Their set at the World Cafe Live was short but sweet, so I was left wanting to hear more. After previewing "Phoenix" online, I had the sense that this was going to sound very good live with a full band and I was right. The music is Energetic and upbeat; the kind of music you'd want to crank up to top volume while driving.”
- Mitch, The Valley Beat (August 21, 2013)