Customer Reviews

Born on Earth

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this album, the second solo release by Rusty Anderson, to be a gem... it's musically varied, personal, passionate and clever... and I can't get the songs out of my head, but find I don't want to anyway.

Anderson, a former member of Ednaswap, is known as an in demand guitarist who has recorded and worked with too many well known artists to list here -- according to "allmusic" these include artists as varied as Gwen Stefani and Nelly Furtado to Santana, Neil Diamond and Ron Sexsmith. He may be best known recently for his work in Paul McCartney's band over the last 8 years.

Clearly Anderson is a guitarist and musician of rare caliber, but here he shows off his suprisingly strong songwriting skills in a well-crafted album that is sincere and relatable. From the symbolic imagery of "Baggage Claim" to the whimsical "Julia Roberts", the breath-taking sweep of "New Beginning" to the amusing yet emotionally real "Funky Birthday Cake", this album invokes a lot of different responses in the listener, and begs for repeat play.

This has really become a personal favorite... most recommended!

If u liked his first solso album, you'll LOVE this,...great songs, production,...expand your horizons with Rusty............

Those Southern California musicians that have had the privilege to work with Rusty have always known about his impeccable guitar playing. But in his second solo effort " Born on Earth" , Rusty exhibits more of his talent for unique songwriting and heart felt lead vocals

Rusty's genius is in his detail: His penchant to manipulate, channel and twist HIS guitar tones and sounds to the point where you wonder if it is a guitar or another instrument. His approach to music is always unique: He forgoes the panatonic musings of some of his contemporary gunslingers and forgoes the typical or mundane to pull from his extensive music theory background.

In that search, Rusty has produced some real gems on this CD . There is the provocative string into and mid part on the title track, the riveting lyrical imagery on "Under a White Star", the guitar explosions on " New Beginning" and " These on the days" the cosmic orchestrations in "Intro" and my favorite, the radio friendly "Timed Exposure" with its killer chorus. I appreciate Rusty's vocals that injects meaning into what he sings, not just depending on his guitar work to put over his songs.

Rusty may be " Born on Earth" , but he sends his music from his own little planet from his special musical universe.

Well done Rusty.

About the money part, I'm just kidding. I didn't know what to expect, really, but when I have listened this for the first time... HEY, THIS ALBUM IS MORE THAN AWESOME! Come back to São Paulo, Rusty. (: -Liv

Hard to believe it's been 4 years since Rusty's first solo outing. Like UU, BOE will grow on you. The mix is amazing, especially if you listen on Bose noise-canceling headphones. Wide separation with great instrument placement, and vocals and guitars that are mixed well up front.

But this release is more coherent than UU, with a loose theme of travel (real and imagined) that makes it special. And what I really like is how this one 'teases' with guitar sounds that are distinct, yet oh-so familiar...perhaps a tribute to Jimmy Page and Dancing Days ("These are the Days")? Neil Finn and Crowded House in "Timed Exposure"? A New Wave twist on Greg Lake and Lucky Man ("Private Moon Flower")? Maybe some post-Ultravox Midge Ure on "Under a White Star?" And isn't that a guitar soundscape by The Edge on "New Beginning" and the reprise "Intro" (with Matt McKenna's trumpet that is unforgettable if you see them open their live show with this song). Ah, you can't fool me - that's definitely Mother Nature's Son on "Where Would We Go."

But listen to "Born on Earth", again and again and again and it's all Rusty. And this guy would like us all to think that he was born on earth! We Won't Be Fooled Again, Rusty. I can hardly wait until your comet swings past the third rock from the Sun ... in 2013! Rock on, Man!!

I love this record! I especially loved 'Where Would We Go', 'Baggage Claim' and 'Julia roberts'. Not a bummer in the bunch. You'll not be disappointed!!

This is a great Sophomore follow-up to previous CD,"Undressing Underwater".Great guitar, lots of great vox, and Production.
See him on tour with Paul McCartney this Summer too.

On the positive side, his album has some nice Beatle-esque touches. Anderson has, like his boss, a gift for creating good, catchy melodies. The playing and execution are competent, but I would have liked to hear a little more guitar. From a production values standpoint, this is a good sounding recording.

The album, however, is lyrically weak. Maybe this was an ego-trip where he attempted to do it all, or maybe he thought that rhyming lines withe no logical connection to each other is cool. One can only speculate as to what was on his mind when he conceived of and developed this project. At some point, it would be to Anderson's benefit to admit defeat and find a lyricist. He needs to realize that potentially great songs are ruined by nonsensical lyrics. Merely rhyming couplets does not cut it, dude. The era for "psychedelic" stream-of-consciousness song writing has, thankfully, long since past. Once he gains this insight, then Anderson should begin to stand on his own and gain the recognition that he deserves.

Oh, what's with that WWII, shot in the South Pacific cover? Is this of his dad from the Good War?? There's no tie-in with the music or the title. Was Anderson high when he conceived of this?

He's got amazing guitar chops and on this record Rusty also displays brilliant songwriting skills and amazing vocal range and quality. The tunes are catchy and memorable and he sings with the sweetness and soul of a true romantic crooner. Not to say he can't rip it up when the song calls for it--he's diverse, intelligent, and has a lot to say in a unique way. No surprise the greatest names in the world call upon this guy whenever they need first rate musicianship. He is a singer-songwriter of the highest caliber in addition to being a smokin hot guitarist. Bravo Rusty!!