★★★★★
From the beginning of Ron Hawkins' songwriting career, his work has been notable for its focus on location. He's a part of the Toronto landscape; his songs have roots. So it only makes sense for his new album, his second with the Do Good Assassins, to be called . The songs on this album were arranged and recorded in the space of a week, recorded live; it shows in the confident and laid-back energy of the band...
- exclaim.ca
2015-02-11
★★★★★
Early last year, Lowest of the Low's Ron Hawkins started the Do Good Assassins with producer/guitarist and co-writer Steve Singh. Instead of being just a teaser, Rome is the band's bold 20-song double-album debut. Side one is rock and side two country/folk tunes. Rome is a departure from Hawkins's recent solo material in that it features lead and backup vocals by Singh and more of a band approach in the performances...
- www.nowtoronto.com
2012-11-05
★★★★★
On his fifth album, Lowest of the Low's Ron Hawkins shows he's still Toronto's rough-hewn love poet. Coming after a series of successful reunion shows with LOTL, the album is essentially a home-recorded solo effort with guests. Hawkins handles the rhythm section, guitars, piano, banjo, mandolin and (by the sounds of it) backup vocals. Laurence Nichols's harmonica is prominent, and touches of horns, strings, accordion and barking dogs make it an earthy listen...
- www.nowtoronto.com
2011-06-27
★★★★★
The ubiquitous Ron Hawkins assembled an incredibly talented group of musicians to create the Rusty Nails. Their inaugural album, Greasing the Star Machine, is a musical journey that encompasses styles ranging from punk-influenced swing to jazzy rock and profound ballads. Two baritone saxophones accompany guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums, creating a powerful low end...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
★★★★★
Without a doubt, Crackstatic is the Rusty Nails' most cohesive effort to date. The production talents of Toronto rock god Ian Blurton lent themselves well to this project -- the magic touch that Blurton had with the Weakerthans' Left and Leaving carried itself over to make the pop/punk songs like the first single ("Bite Down Hard") more concise, and the heart-wrenching balladry of "Rumours and Whispers" all the more haunting...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
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