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I’m on some kind of Springsteen kick today, so I figured I’d keep the train rolling and talk about Jason Anderson. In a world where The Hold Steady are pretty huge and The Gaslight Anthem are up-and-comers, it seems unfair to me that the former Wolf Colonel/Mount Eerie/Yume Bitsu member is overlooked. Can’t the world support more earnest, anthemic rock acts like this?
Anderson’s solo shows are almost impossibly earnest, but it’s pretty clear that the guy believes in the communal power of rock and roll, as dippy as that might sound. They seem to be house show affairs, with no mics, amps, or stage. Anderson just stands there on the floor, with kids around him singing along, and, okay, it brings a tear to this hard-hearted cynic’s eye. At this point, I think of the Hold Steady as a reliable brand more than anything else, and the Gaslight Anthem is pretty good, though there’s a bit of hokum that I can’t quite shake. Anderson’s a true believer, and just spending a few minutes with the guy should wash away any cynicism.
Two recent Anderson records, Tonight and The Hopeful and the Unafraid, try to capture that live show vibe and they mostly succeed. They were recorded off the cuff, and drums, guitars, and most everything were tracked together to give it the “band playing together” vibe. And, yeah, it sounds a lot like Springsteen. I don’t think that Anderson would run from that, and in this era of overproduced material from The Boss, it’s nice to hear something as immediate and unadorned as “Tonight” (dig the sax!) or the epic “El Paso”. Downloads below!
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Jason Anderson [Official site]
Hmm, I never knew he was part of Yume Bitsu (who are LONG overdue for new material).
good to see this guy getting some media love – his shot above the radar has been long overdue.
i have the sense yume are sorta over what with the White Rainbow psych steamroller. their last album was what, 2002? and it was a GREAT album.
Yeah, Mr. Forkner’s been busy with other goodness lately. Still annoyed with myself I couldn’t pick up that box set when I had the chance.
Man, I’ve heard of this guy before, but never bothered, just assuming his music was more of the Microphones/Yume Bitsu ilk (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but I really never expected this Capital-R-Rock stuff. (Though I’d point at Ted Leo as a better contemporary reference than Hold Steady). I like it. Very little bullshit. Also, I’d really like to know the story behind the “Oliver” photo on his website.
We need more rockstars from NH.
@Marth: Oh good re: Ted Leo, and I meant to say something but I forgot. It’s nice to have no BS rock guys out there just going for it and making people feel good, right? Jason responds to his emails, I think, so maybe ask him?
@NoOneCaresAboutYourFuckingBlog: Agreed. We just need more rock stars from new places. What’s going on in Montgomery, Alabama and Cheyenne, Wyoming right now? I’d love to know!
why not dillinger four?
Regarding the hokum, I described GA to my friend as the Boss + Bouncing Souls + Bryan Adams (the hokum). I like GA, but I agree that there is a layer of cheese there.
Good call on this one, Jason’s “New England” album is one of the more slept-on records of 2000s
@LAKingsin2009: Yeah. It’s hard for me to shake. I’m sure they believe and everything, but it seems a tad disingenuous. I say check out these JA tracks and tell me what you think!