“The new EP, ‘She Wanted the Future’ is a five-song effort that showcases the live Mystics band across a diverse range of material, from the power pop of the title track to the blistering, boisterous jam that ends the EP … The word ‘eclectic’ is often overused, especially when it comes to music that might be somewhat hard to categorize. But the term is definitely applicable when it comes to Mystics Anonymous … ‘With Mystics, the whole point was to establish a project where nothing is off-limits,’ Steblea said. And that limitless musical horizon seems to be the case…” — The Republican — MassLive
“The opening title track, ‘She Wanted the Future,’ is so catchy it sticks in your head, sounding a bit like Blink-182’s ‘All the Small Things.’ The strong lyrics in ‘Imperfections’ reflect the band’s perspective on current politics and the atmosphere of violence. ‘(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity’ is equally appealing with a tip of the hat to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Barenaked Ladies, ending with an echoing ’60s psychedelic guitar.” — The Noise: Boston
“[The new EP is] frank, funny, and catchy … [Mystics Anonymous] blends rootsy acoustic material with jazz elements, harder alternative rock, and more experimental, ambient sounds.” — The Valley Advocate
“[The new EP is] a journey through a variety of popular genres that today’s audiences are attracted to, all wrapped into one visionary sound that is highly enjoyable … this unique package should have a solid place in whatever your favorite listening device is.” — TMR Zoo
“‘Maudlin, You Liar’ is more of – and most welcome – Sixties retro musical styling, a little ‘Manic Depression’ beat from Mitch Mitchell, a dash of Jefferson Airplane/Jorma Kaukonen guitar playing, with Steblea’s vocal channeling Mr. Mojo Rising himself throughout the track. It all closes out with a cosmic sound for ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ which has nothing to do with the John Parr track from the 1984 film – it’s a cover of Brian Eno’s tune of the same name and it’s got everything. And so does this disc. It’s a keeper.” — Joe Vig Top 40
“Mystics Anonymous’ cover of ‘St.Elmo’s Fire’ [pays] attention to what makes the song identifiable, yet also sounds like the artists who are performing it.” — I Die: You Die
“It’s uncommon for disparate threads like electronic experimentation and folk and rock songcraft to co-exist in one songwriter’s work, but those sounds vie for attention throughout Dreaming for Hours, sometimes alternating, often combining. … Steblea seems fond of many a musical genre, and isn’t content to stick with one or create a hybrid. Instead, he seems to let instinct guide him to destinations unknown, and listening to Dreaming for Hours becomes a voyage of surprise.” — The Valley Advocate
“‘Dreaming For Hours’ is an achievement; an original yet familiar piece, centered around the great songwriting of Jeff Steblea. … It’s experimental, but very accessible, carving itself a home in between conventional indie and experimental dream-pop.” — Post-Grad Music Reviews
“The first sounds of ‘Sinner’s Lament’ are that of a drum machine spewing a tribal beat that compels you to listen. Slowly the other instruments/sounds are layered on top of it adding fullness and further drawing you into what’s next. Imagine smoke tendrils as fingers curling in a ‘come hither’ motion. And you do. … There is no easy classification of this release and I like that. It has appeal to many in that sense. Jeff states: ‘the whole point was to establish a project where nothing is off-limits.’ Well, Jeff, mission accomplished.” — NotHaydn
“… Bassist and studio auteur Jeff Steblea, who performs as Mystics Anonymous, promises to bring along a stableful of supporting musicians and ‘special guests,’ including his bandmates from Fiesta Brava, and members of Span of Sunshine, the Salvation Alley String Band, Groove Shoes, the Swillmerchants, and more. Whether they can recreate the full range of his new album, Dreaming for Hours, will be an interesting question. The album, which the suspicious or undecided can preview in full at mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com, collects an impressive variation of sounds, and is a good demonstration of what today’s bedroom producer can accomplish when she or he wants not to sound trendily ‘lo-fi.’ Many of Steblea’s songs are essentially power pop or college rock at their core, propelled by his bass, and should provide fodder for an enjoyable live set with collaborators.” — The Montague Reporter
“… One of those singers is fellow Greenfield singer-songwriter Jeff Steblea, who leads the other band on the co-bill, his rock collective called Mystics Anonymous. Steblea is the only constant, surrounded by an ever-changing cast of musicians, which on the new record includes members of the Salvation Alley String Band, Fiesta Brava, Span of Sunshine, Sitting Next to Brian and more. The new Mystics Anonymous album, ‘Dreaming for Hours,’ is an hour-long opus with a distinct ’90s alternative aura. It’s easy to imagine catchy songs like ‘Sinner’s Lament,’ ‘Looks Like Jennifer’ and the stomping ‘Boombox Fanfare’ getting airtime on MTV’s ‘120 Minutes’ in its heyday alongside tunes by The Lemonheads, Matthew Sweet, R.E.M. and others.” — Daily Hampshire Gazette
“Jeff Steblea compares his musical project to R.E.M. The folky acoustic emphasis of his songs makes the comparison stick somewhat, but Mystics Anonymous possesses a black humor that Michael Stipe lacks altogether. In addition to composing and singing, Steblea plays all the instruments except for the saxophone cameos.” – Listen.com
“Greenfield-based musician Jeff Steblea plays in Fiesta Brava, but he also has his own band, Mystics Anonymous, a highly eclectic project that follows his muse wherever it leads. ‘People make fun of me for liking so many different kinds of music,’ Steblea said. ‘As one person said, “You like to like stuff.” The truth, he says, is that he’s creatively restless. ‘No sooner do I finish something, then I have the compulsion to do something else, and have it be different than what came before.’ Nevertheless, he says, ‘There is a cohesive vision behind [the band’s music]. It’s just that it’s a panoramic one.’ Steblea, a major music fan, finds inspiration in the diverse output of bands like Yo La Tengo and Camper Van Beethoven. ‘One of the things I like most about them is that I never get tired of listening to them, they always keep me interested,’ he said. Mystics Anonymous is usually a solo project (with three full-length albums and a fourth record in the works) but he put a band together for a show back in September — Andy Goulet on bass, Matt Silberstein on guitar and Brian Marchese on drums. That quartet will come together again for a concert at The Basement in Northampton tonight at 8 p.m.” – Hampshire Life Magazine
“Jeff’s songs and melodies will catch you right off the bat, and you’re sure to enjoy.” – The iPod Observer
“Lead singer Jeff also won an individual award for best vocalist, and it is perhaps his mature and surprisingly deep singing voice that sets this band apart from their peers…Jeff’s singing creates a distinctive sound for the group. His vocal range is impressive and despite his off-the-wall antics and wacky sense of humor, it is obvious that he is a disciplined performer. His manipulation of both his voice itself and the microphone creates a variety of differences that suit the mood of each particular tune. But it is when he sings in his true voice, unaltered and clear, that he really shines.” – Mixx Magazine