"Perhaps this L.A. based trio of sessionaires called their exuberant electric hillbilly experiment "Merle Jagger" because "Mick Haggard" didn't have the right ring to it, but the hybrid idea is clear and brilliant—fusing bluegrass, hard country rock and jazz into an instrumental cauldron that is unlike anything any of those individual genres has heard before. Driven by Mark Christian's blazing, lightning fast electric guitar, banjo and mandolin, Patrick Flores' bubbling bass and Brandon Goldstein's explosive drumming, this disc is a s***kicker's dream, a near hour of fast paced, raucous party music that flies in the face of much of today's ultra slick pop country. Think Johnny Cash on speed, and you're off to a good start on the slammin' opening track "Ranchero" and "Ranch Party." They crank it up even more for the appropriately titled "Hillbilly No. 9," which makes you wonder how incredibly rockin' the other eight were. "In Through The Out Take" is a little more conventionally bluesy, but "Trash Tornado" is a place where surf guitar wears a cowboy hat that just won't stay on. Even when "Granny Takes A Trip," she's flyin' off her rocker. Anyone who's ever loved country rock, modern or classic, will enjoy the trip; these guys do their namesakes, Mick Jagger and Merle Haggard, very proud."
-Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide, 7 August 2006

"MERLE JAGGER RANCHO LOS ANGELES OPENING FOR CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED Where: House of Blues.  This LA trio is more Merle than Jagger, twangin' through 12 instrumental tracks with the playful flair of Los Straitjackets and the throwback country chops of The Derailers. Toss in a little jam-band-style noodling for the hippie crowd and just enough balls-out rock, and you've got 53 minutes of fun for the whole family."
-Patrick Donnelly, Las Vegas Weekly, 3 August 2006

"Imagine blues guitarist Ronnie Earle sitting in with legendary country picker Chet Atkins, with surf pioneers the Ventures backing them both, and you've pretty much got the vibe of Merle Jagger. It's instrumental country surf blues performed with enthusiasm and virtuosic excellence. Crisp arrangements, solid chops, and a driving beat give the L.A.-based trio a sound unlike anything else going today. The only band that ever even came close to this melding of various American styles into an all-instrumental stew was the Tailgators, a late '80s/early '90s vehicle for former LeRoi Brothers guitarist Don Leady. Here the star is guitarist Mark Christian. Not to downplay the absolutely firm foundation laid down by bassist Patrick Flores and drummer Brandon Goldstein, but Christian's near-bluegrass speed picking while organically working various pedals and effects boxes is what makes this CD such a unique listen. Having him turn in passages on banjo and mandolin, too, only adds to the whole experience. Merle Jagger performs Saturday at O'Connell's in San Diego."
-Jim Trageser, North Country Times, San Diego, 9 August 2006

"Possessing one of the most rock 'n' roll names in recent history, LA's Merle Jagger doesn't actually have anyone with either name in the band, but it sure sounds like they do. This may seem obvious – and it kind of is – but if you take Merle Haggard's dry, wise, tough-guy country and the Stones' sense of playful rock show campiness, you're pretty dead on with these guys. Bouncing through bluegrass, Buck Owens' pop Bakersfield sound, lap-steel shredding honky-tonk, and a wee bit of roadhouse rock, the band's new instrumental-only CD, Rancho Los Angeles, is pure, amped-up fun."
-JP, "Music – Up & Coming," Portland Mercury, 23 May 2006

"When most people think of the Southern California music scene, they think of rock 'n' roll or rap music. But Mark Christian notes that country music has always been a big part of the music scene … Local promoter Aaron Gomes booked Merle Jagger on the recommendation of a music-industry friend, Gomes said. The band's music is a more 'abstract version of very old-roots country music.' 'They definitely have some old-country influence, but calling them a country band is selling them very short and doesn't properly represent them,' Gomes said. 'They are a progressive rock band that uses old-country as a springboard to create their own tweaked instrumental progressive country-esque instrumental compositions.'"
-James Ward, Visalia Times-Delta, 19 May 2006

"All hail the new kings…(chant) Merle Jagger, Merle Jagger, Merle Jagger! Merle Jagger is an instrumental band that plies their trade with skill, finesse, and a healthy dose of blistering guitar/banjo picking by Mark Christian and a rhythm section (bass Patrick Flores and drums Brandon Goldstein) that holds its own pace like a set of wild horses eluding capture. At times Merle Jagger is reminiscent of bands like Blood on the Saddle, Southern Culture on the Skids and Bad Livers. Merle Jagger combines traditional country and breakneck bluegrass rather than country pop patter thus giving them the winning formula for success, critical praise and acclaim. 10 Stetsons out of 10!"
-Christopher Duda (SugarBuzz Toronto) SugarBuzz Magazine, 2006

"It's no secret that I really enjoyed seeing Merle Jagger live when I stumbled across them last year at the Paper Heart. It was a musical surprise to catch such a strong old style country instrumental act. And before you tune out at the mention of country and instrumental, let me tell you that the band had the crowd in their dexterous hands and had most people tapping their feet to the band's infectious up-tempo progressive hillbilly experiment … the band is very good at what they do. Heck, I think any person who enjoys really good guitar playing with a sense of humor will enjoy Rancho Los Angeles, and if you get a chance to see them live – they are supposed to be coming back to Arizona in June – put on your dancin' boots and hold on."
-JB, AZnightbuzz.com, 24 April 2006

"Merle Jagger is a descendant of neither Mick Jagger nor Merle Haggard. Instead, this Los Angeles band is something of an oddity: an acoustic country rock trio, with roots in both classic rock and classic country. They call their music a 'progressive hillbilly experiment,' and it sounds like something you'd hear in a chase scene of an old silent Western flick … maybe they're onto something new with this acoustic country business."
-"Bumper crop," Fresno Bee, 18 May 2006

"As we say here in Pennsyltucky: 'Youz guyz kick ass!' You are carrying on in the footsteps of Danny Gaton, NRBQ, and Chet Atkins with great stomping-ass barnyard country twinged absolutely hot geetar rockability! I am also playing your songs on station Radio Free Tunes, Radio Free Rock, and Radio Free Country. Please let your fans know about your No. 1 add to Guitarist Radio on ArtistLaunch."
-Paul Carosi, Radiofreetunes.com

"Mark Christian of Merle Jagger found himself in an en enviable position when Steve Anderko a (past) acquaintance, brought Merle Jagger to LPJ Records…I knew if we signed with them we would get a lot of attention…Merle Jagger got its biggest help from MySpace.com…the label liked our music…came to see our live show and were convinced that they wanted to do business with us…' LPJ Records releases Rancho Los Angeles March 2006."
-Rob Putnam, "Signing Story," Music Connection Magazine, March 2006