"Songwriter Joe Iconis' deft ability to fuse an ear-catching melody with a driving beat and his decidedly offbeat worldview gets a fantastic showcase in this two-disc set. Whether he's spinning a quirky pickup song ("Nerd Girl" - complete with Scooby Doo references), a pungent musical soliloquy ("Mamma, Cut Me Deeper"), or a ballad laced with irony to disguise emotion ("Albuquerque Anyway"), Iconis' talents are unmistakable."

Andy Propst Theatermania

“[M]usic that kicks 1960’s-style pop tunefulness with hard post-punk beats... Mr. Iconis recalls the excitement that surrounded Marc Shaiman, Jonathan Larson and Jason Robert Brown... I would call ‘Things To Ruin’ the beginning of something, except that it is already well underway.”

Stephen Holden The New York Times

"Iconis seems hell-bent on finding all the commonly shared emotional moments that nobody else has yet set to music. It’s so much fun that it’s a little overwhelming – ‘transporting’ is probably the best word!"

Variety

“This bold and prolific musical theater writer, Joe Iconis isn’t just hot; he’s boiling. Things to Ruin is a revue of his bawdy and profane – and sometimes very poignant – songs.”

TheaterMania