"It's easy to think of the Bureau as a throwback to darkly melodic new-wave bands of yore. The group's professed love of Duran Duran only reinforces this idea. In truth, the Bureau takes moody, synth-based rock & roll and infuses it with a heavy dose of sharp-cornered post-punk and austere robo-rhythms. We Make Plans in Secret delivers on the promise of the band's debut EP by framing Mike Cracchiolo's expressive, octave-spanning vocals with retro keyboard bleeps and lush synth pads, while the rhythm section maintains a propulsive, carbon-based energy."
-Christian Schaeffer, Riverfront Times (reviewing The Bureau CDLP "We Make Plans in Secret")
"A dark, danceable quartet with roots in '80s mope-rock and sleek neo-post-punk... slinky basslines work well in tandem with its synth parts, just like Duran Duran's best, critically underrated work. Plus, the band's impeccable hairstyles and attention to grooming rival the Fabulous Five's snazzy new-wave sartorial choices."
- Annie zaleski, riverfront times
"Bureau vocalist Mike Cracchiolo plays dominant basslines, the type that can devour listeners and force them to follow the rhythm's every whim. He also sings in a vulnerable baritone, recalling Martin Gore's emotional authority (but not austerity). This dapper quartet also stocks its songs with keyboard counter-melodies, stuttering drumbeats, piercing lead guitar and shadowy harmonies."
-Andrew Miller, Riverfront Times
"A wildly entertaining local group, with a sound rooted squarely in the non-hitmaking new wave days of the late 70s and early 80s... This band is tops!"
-Thomas Crone, InsideStl.com
"Like the brothers Butler of the Psychedelic Furs, the members of the Bureau are fond of sporting natty suits whether playing live or posing for photographs, as on the back cover of their debut EP, You Are Number Six (which was produced by RFT art director Tom Carlson). Appropriately, the quartet's sleek, synth-driven rock evokes the Roxy Music- and Bowie-inspired glam darkness of the Furs' earliest albums, as vocalist Michael Cracchiolo mutters like Joy Division's Ian Curtis crooning in a smoky hotel lounge."
-Annie Zaleski, Riverfront Times
"Its pretty easy to get hooked on this band, especially if you grew up listening to early 80s new wave and appreciate a fresh approach to the sound. The Bureau is made up of four members who do a great job coming up with strong guitar/keyboard melodies that are consistently good. Mike Cracchiolo, the bands lead singer/bassist, does a great job taking center stage and singing with confidence, while providing some distinct-sounding bass lines to the mix. These days, there are several bands that are heavily influenced by Joy Division and the Smiths; the problem is that a lot of them just arent very good. Thankfully, that is not the case with the Bureau."
-John Kujawski, Playback STL