Customer Reviews

Undressing Underwater

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sure, you could stick to the mainstream - buy Paul McCartney's new album and live a happy life, but if you are looking for some good new music - pick up this album by Paul's touring guitarist for the last few years and enjoy the new gem in your collection.

Yes - the album is good. It rocks and slides into a tasty mellowness in all the right spots. The songs are clear and inventive. Hurt Myself is a great opener, followed by 60s influenced Electric Trains which is heavily remeniscent of the Byrds. One of my faves is Coming Back To Earth which clicks on all levels, music, lyrics and meaning. The underlying line through all this is Rusty's guitar playing which is just superb. The only weak tune here, if there is one, might be Devil's spaceship and I'm not sure why. It just seemed a little thin.

I got to see Rusty perform several of these songs acoustically, at a bookstore in Columbus, Ohio during the recent leg of the McCartney tour. Rusty came with a travel Taylor in hand and was simply amazing.

Rusty - if you're listening - I would love to see an acoustic "unplugged" version of your stuff. It was great!

Cheers! - Jeff

This is a pretty eclectic mix - but it's what you can expect from someone like Rusty whose career is defined by diversity. You will be rewarded if you let this one grow on you. There are some cool stories that go with many of them that Archer (now Production Director of Portland's KINK FM) aired on Breakfast with The Beatles in April 2006. "Electric Trains" was inspired by Rusty's brother, who he lost at a very young age. You'll remember this song for the great harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. "Catbox Beach" (an instrumental with a Ventures surf-rock feel) features some guy named Stewart Copeland on drums. The opener, "Hurt Myself" (probably the most instantly accessible tune with a nice hook) has a Fab guy on bass and background vocals and some other guys named Abe, Brian, and Wix. Listen to "Devil's Spaceship" if you just want to marvel at Rusty's fine guitar work. "Ishmael" is a great rocker inspired by a Daniel Quinn novel. Mushrooms and uneaten pizza resulted in my favorite "Everybody Deserves an A in This Country" (hey, what can I say, I am a college professor!). This work is worth many listens, and it's even better (harder edge) when performed live by Rusty and his band (Matt, Dusty and Todd). I'm can hardly wait to hear what Rusty does next!

Having seen Rusty perform in concert with Paul McCartney 3 times I was excited to get this CD. Rusty has done a terrific job with this album. The lyrics are gems, some funny, some sarcastic and some very touching. Rusty's guitar playing is hot, with a good portion of it taking off in each cut! All the tracks have creative openings.

My favorite is Electric Trains, which I believe is a story about the loss of his father. The ending is very Beatles/George Martin/ELO sounding. I love it! Listen to the words and you'll feel the loss with him. This is a song I'll have on my "short list" of favorites for the rest of my life.

Rusty also talks about his success in Damaged Goods and how he can't believe it and feels like he's still holding "a card that says Don't Pass Go".

Like the Beatles he has a positive take in all the tunes. If this had been released a few years earlier it would have been a hit, but there just isn't anyplace in radio anymore for solid, well crafted rock and roll.

Get this CD, put it in on in your car, PLAY IT LOUD and go for a drive. You'll feel great!

I hope he continues to make music. Rusty, you have a big fan in Webster, New York.

Rusty's solo album rocks just as hard as he does and anyone who authors the lyrics "kiss your own a$$ if nobody else will" deserves a listen! He has an all-star support team including Paul McCartney and his current touring band. They all perform on the first track Hurt Myself which has a Beatles-type flavor. My favorite is Sentimental Chaos - great syncopation on the refrain and Rusty opens up on the guitar solo. Electric Trains is another fave - such a variety of sounds really build a train atmosphere with a sentimental message that is definitely not sappy - extremely well done. Catbox Beach is an instrumental with a California surf-type sound which makes sense since that is where Rusty learned his craft. For a variety of sounds and styles and to support this talented musician, give Rusty a listen!

This is the first solo release from American session guitarist Rusty Anderson, who over the years has worked with everyone from Courtney Love to Paul McCartney. My expectations for this CD were pretty low, often when gifted musicians make a handsome living as sidemen, it's because they lack that extra something that propels all front men to the spotlight.

But pleasingly this is not the case. Undressing Underwater reveals Anderson as a fine distinctive vocalist, not bland or limited and a gifted songwriter.

Anderson doesn't attempt to hide his influences, Undressing Underwater mixes British pop sensibilities with classic American rock, but it's not just a collection of carefully crafted pastiches. It benefits from a contemporary production and Anderson is no Luddite, as the latest technology is employed where appropriate.

Highlights include opening track Hurt Myself a great piece of power pop, bristling with hooks and a nice Penny Lane-ish fugel horn solo, a nod to his current employer Paul McCartney perhaps, who plays bass on the track. Electric Trains where Anderson reflects evocatively on childhood memories and the eccentric instrumental Catbox Beach where surf music meets reggae.

This album proves that there is much more to Rusty Anderson than just being a hired hand. He is the real deal and what is most pleasing is that his genuine enthusiasm manages to permeate every track.

Anderson is due to start recording with McCartney at Abbey Road in the near future, if the former chief Beatle finds himself struggling at any point on the creative front, he could do worse than turn to his guitarist for help.

I first came across Rusty Anderson when I saw him touring with Paul McCartney earlier this year. His guitar playing skills really impressed me and I bought this CD the minute it was released, curious to hear his own music. And I have to say, I was very impressed!

This CD has 10 fantastic tracks on it, each and every one of them is a mini masterpiece in my opinion. Anderson's talents both as a musician and songwriter clearly shine through, and his voice has a wonderful clarity to it, something which I think is rare these days. Each track is filled with hooks and melodies that get stuck in your brain and take up residence there. And that's before you even listen to what the man is saying. His lyrics are pure brilliance, they are intense and thought provoking, melancholic in places, sometimes cryptic - but they somehow ring true. One gets the impression that Rusty Anderson is writing about the things that really matter to him.

This CD is nothing short of a work of art - it is definitely the best CD I have bought in 2003. I can't recommend it highly enough.

usually, by the end of the first listening, i can tell if i'm going to like a cd. after just the first 2 songs of Undressing Underwater, i knew i was onto something very cool. i've been listening to Rusty's guitar for several years; mainly on Bangles & Susanna Hoffs, Nathalie Archangel, and Patty Smyth releases. so, when i saw his that his solo cd was released, i had to immediately buy it.

there is no question that this is a cd i'll be listening to over and over, for years to come. each song leads into the next, just like a good album should do.

the songs remind me of Jason Falkner somtimes. what i mean by that is, they are well-written pop tunes, with huge hooks and clean vocal lines. "Sentimental Chaos" could easily fit in with any of Jason's releases. and, to me, "Ol' Sparky" would have been right at home on the now-classic Imperial Drag cd from Roger Manning & Eric Dover. (wow, another jellyfish reference!! - i guess you get my point)

the cool part is that all of his guitar tones are here: clean, chimey 6- and 12-string parts, crunchy rhythms, heavy, modern lead tone, and his way-overdriven, almost splattery tone that only he can somehow make work. listen to "Evrerybody Deserves An A in This Country", and you'll hear some of the coolest fuzzy-guitar around.

then there's his vocals: a very hip pop-rock voice that fits perfectly throughout all the songs (except "Catbox Beach", of course).

don't forget his work with Sir Paul. check out the 'Back in the US' dvd, and you'll be treated to even more Rusty!

get this cd. it's full of great songs, great playing, and top-notch production. you'll be singing along in no time!

After seeing him on stage with Sir Paul I decided to check out
the band members. The more you listen to Rusty's CD, the more you
like it. So my suggestion is.................LISTEN DAILY.
Perhaps someday Paul will be backing up Rusty on a major tour.
(It can happen !!!)

I saw Rusty at the Viper Room on March 1, 2007. AMAZING!!! If you like McCartney & harder rock, you'll LOVE this album! Any rockers' collection shouldn't be without it! If you get a chance to see him in concert, by all means go! You can tell Rusty and his band play because they love to play!

Great music to drive by (when car racing! I'll prolly put this CD in for my next race!) :)

I checked out Rusty's My Space page and you can see when/where he's playing. GO! You won't be disappointed at all! (unless you miss him playing!)

Cudos to the great time we had at the Viper in Hollywood/L.A. Hoping I can get to the next concert!!! :)

LOVE these guys! One listen and I'm a fan already! :)

Rusty plays guitar outstanding and always has. After listening to his debut...Undressing Underwater, I was very inpressed with his vocals and songwriting .This CD is a must have for any Music Lover.