DownBeat2013 JanuaryafafFrank-John Hadley2013 January"The fetching tones of Holmstrom's vocals combine with the warm atmospherics of the rhythm section to lure us into emotionally involving original tunes that have his guitar cutting as sharply as thorns of a honey locust tree".
Living blues2012 OktoberafafStephen A. King2012 Oktober"The guitar sound on Grammy-winner Rick Holmstrom's latest release, Cruel Sunrise, is simply fantastic ... There's really not a weak cut on the disc, aside from the lackluster Break It Down".