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Performing Songwriter (March/April 2004)
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This kind of studied, literate songwriting is a gift given to the listener--one that surprises, chal...This kind of studied, literate songwriting is a gift given to the listener--one that surprises, challenges, questions and gratifies you every time you hear it.... It could be that he writes sons as part-poet, part-novelist and part confessor--illuminating every cranny of every line with character and guile. Touching on the trance-like ecstasy of David Gray and the deadly seriousness of Nick Drake, Anders is as engaging a singer and musician as he is writer. This is a highly recommended release and one of the most finished, self-possessed and driven DIY releases we've heard in a long, long time....
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Mark Wilson
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"Eric Anders discovered his voice and songwriting talents late in life, but it only makes his highly..."Eric Anders discovered his voice and songwriting talents late in life, but it only makes his highly literate lyrics that much deeper. The Los Angeles-based singer's second album (More Regrets) is a masterpiece of dark, ambient textures, layered soundscapes and subtly hypnotic grooves, with his smooth tenor voice generally up front in the mix. It's a refreshing break from the sonic bombast and Electronic Beats 101 music of most of what currently passes for rock and pop. Anders taught writing at the University of Florida and then spent many years working as a therapist at a nonprofit clinic in the San Fernando Valley. He holds doctorates in both of those fields. But they have taken a backseat to music since Anders sold his house and set up house (and a home studio) in a new Los Angeles apartment. Soon he had his own record label and was writing songs and crafting his well-received debut record.
He detoured long enough to release an EP of politically oriented songs last year, but on 'More Regrets,' he picks up where he left off, exploring personal themes of relationships. However, this time Anders expands on his debut by expanding his lyrics to explore themes of home and underscores them with more experimental music. The results are at once devastating and hopeful. With "More Regrets," Anders achieves what songwriter Ryan Adams has yet to do - an entire album that sounds good and has lyrics to match. Highlights include the insistently grooving title track, the hypnotic 'Together Alone,' the plaintive and desperately hopeful 'Settlin' Comes' and the cynical, gently rocking 'Song 79.'
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West Coast Performer
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It's not what Eric Anders does right in Not At One, it's that he does nothing wrong. Vocals, instru...It's not what Eric Anders does right in Not At One, it's that he does nothing wrong. Vocals, instrumentation, songwriting, production quality, there's not a single misstep. In a short attention span world full of singer songwriters, what did Anders do to ensure he'd stand out? First, the songs work on several levels… He's been compared to Nick Drake and that's deserved. Their music shares a similar timeless feel. The instrumentation of Not At One is spicier than Drake fare, with conga drums, cello, electric piano, slide guitar, bongos and upright bass. And Anders' voice is deeper and gruffer. But unlike Drake, whose lyrics were more ethereal, Anders is painfully grounded, even cathartic. There's a theme to Not At One: economical, picturesque word choices evoke lifetimes of regret and dissatisfaction realized in moments of stillness. In 'Leaves Me Cold' a float in the pool becomes 'Baptism / In my chlorinated luxury / Irritated eyes make it hard to see / It's not the water / Which is heated over eighty five / Just it's supposed to satisfy.' In 'Struggle' Anders sings of feelings Drake probably had as well "Starting to hear / The louder tones of insane / If they are real / How could they ever contain … ' Anders surprises, dark themes existing in languid, yet toe-tapping songs like 'Loveless Lame:' 'And they're not easy friends / No love to be found / They're not good at nice / But they can't help hang around / But they're not to blame / It's happened all their lives / They're the loveless lame.' Not At One is a complex listen, its intensity kept in check by its beauty. Perfect.
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Robert Kinsler
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"There is a seriousness of tone and musical depth across the latest full-length disc from Newport Be..."There is a seriousness of tone and musical depth across the latest full-length disc from Newport Beach-based Eric Anders that will please fans of artists such as Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley. More Regrets builds on the promise of his 2003 debut Not at One and 2004 EP Songs for Wayward Days, which shouldn't come as a surprise to those who have heard those excellent discs. On More Regrets, songs such as "Together Alone" and "Icarus" explore isolation, loss and love with an uncanny truth that casts a powerful spell that transports listeners into the songs themselves."
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Minor 7th (June 23, 2004)
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Judging by this impressive debut, singer-songwriter Eric Anders deserves a seat at the table reserve...Judging by this impressive debut, singer-songwriter Eric Anders deserves a seat at the table reserved for acclaimed contemporary alternative-pop troubadours such as Pete Yorn, Belle & Sebastian, and Badly Drawn Boy. Folksy, low-key, introspective, and literate, Anders weaves subtle melodies through timeless arrangements fortified by understated orchestral textures, simple vocal harmonies, and clever counterpoint... Anders is a can't miss on "Not At One."
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Fufkin
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Impressive singer-songwriter based in L.A. puts out an album that is indie by virtue of label only. ...Impressive singer-songwriter based in L.A. puts out an album that is indie by virtue of label only. Ten or fifteen years ago, sophisticated, accessible music like this would have been welcomed by a major label — artists like David & David and Bruce Cockburn come to mind. Anders music is a bit more poppy than those examples, making Ron Sexsmith and Eliot Smith analogs as well. Yet the first artist who came to mind on "Halcyon Days" was Semisonic, which is due in part to Anders's moody vocal and also the lightly swelling guitar build up in the chorus. This is the first of a few songs that immediately grabbed my attention, as Anders really knows how to make a big hook that stays with you. The second time I heard those songs, I instantly remembered how much I liked them the first time. "Wearily" is another stand out and shows how well Anders knows his voice — though he sings in a mid-range, he can hit some higher notes, which is very effective when used sparingly. On this song, the melody is tailor made to spotlight the best qualities in the voice. The song, co-written with Mark O'Bitz, uses sparse lyrics to paint a vivid picture of a cheating man whose wife has passed away and he's hit with losing the one woman who stood by him. It packs a punch. On "Not at One", Anders spends more time in the high range, singing over light guitar and drum accompaniment, augmented by a striking string arrangement in the chorus. He sounds so vulnerable, perfectly capturing how lost one feels after being dumped. This is followed by "Never Enough", where a nice balance is struck between a quiet rising-and-falling melody and a steady drumbeat by Keith Mitchell, with Guenevere Measham's cello exploring the worlds between the rhythm and melody. This is rock noir at its finest. Excellent adult pop music.
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Lemonade Magazine
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Los Angeles' Eric Anders is a striking new presence to note. With a melancholy and deep voice and ly...Los Angeles' Eric Anders is a striking new presence to note. With a melancholy and deep voice and lyrics that read like poems, his debut features fully developed songs that complement his biggest creative strengths. Not At One follows lovers through the phases of their relationship, transcribing their experiences in a confessional style that is similar to Chris Isaak or Elliot Smith. But, despite the likeness, Anders is uniquely himself. And there's no doubt that he'll continue to develop on future releases.
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Zeitgeist
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I was literally spellbound while listening to this CD as LA's Eric Anders' balmy intonations assuage...I was literally spellbound while listening to this CD as LA's Eric Anders' balmy intonations assuage the senses in the finest of poetic and romantic traditions. It is no coincidence then that an E.E. Cummings poem adorns the back sleeve! The song writing quality is consistently high throughout this twelve track album although I would like to make a special case for 'Halcyon Days' with its brooding Hammond organ. 'Leave You Doubtful' gets the album off to a very strong start with Guenevere Measham's cello making a significant contribution. She returns on the stunning title track, and elsewhere, and the enchanting instrumentation and empathic production (by Anders and Richard Barron) elevate Not at One from a collection of songs to a state aspiring to artistic Nirvana. It really is that good - and if you don't believe me, have a listen to the samples on Eric's site www.ericanders.com or tune into www.radiosix.com where Eric's music is on the random playlist.
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Popmatters
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If mellow, soothing soft pop is your thing, you need to hear Eric Anders and his engaging debut albu...If mellow, soothing soft pop is your thing, you need to hear Eric Anders and his engaging debut album Not At One. This 39-year old soft-voiced tenor has come late to the music game, but no matter. His brand of honest soul-baring balladeering is most welcome, and has drawn critical comparisons to the music of Chris Isaak, David Gray, Sondre Lerche and Nick Drake, among others.
But all those references fall short in describing the precise and gentle arrangements that seem so perfect on these dozen tracks. Anders and Richard Barron seem to make the right production choices throughout, serving up intelligent instrumental scores remarkably well suited to the sensitivity inherent in the songs and vocals.
… Anders has somehow managed to capture in song the kind of spirit guaranteed to move listeners. His restless compositions speak directly from the heart.
There's nothing about Not At One that gives it away as a debut from an untested rookie in the music biz. Instead, Eric Anders and his fellow musicians arrive on the scene sounding like old friends you've known for years.
There's a bounty of mid-tempo poise from song to song, as Anders explores the realms of troubled folks and vexing internal issues. From this pain comes musical pleasure, a soothing balm of genuine, deeply compelling explorations masquerading as pleasant songs. A second CD is in the works, and if Not At One is any indication of what's in store, I eagerly await its arrival.
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Modern Dance
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I hope the impressive quality of this album lasts! I was instantly hooked with Eric Anders's songs, ...I hope the impressive quality of this album lasts! I was instantly hooked with Eric Anders's songs, the range, the style, and the pure quality of them was instantly there. Twelve tracks in all, with Anders at times sounding a little like Dave Gilmour, and then Colin Blunstone. His songwriting is truly brilliant, especially on songs such as the title track, Struggle, Say Goodbye Again and The Wisdom Of Kisses. Actually, to be fair, Anders shares the songwriting credits with either Bohm, or O'Bitz, but regardless, they're all really damn fine songs. Also, I was quite impressed with the quality of the production as well, one or two of the songs having a kind of Daniel Lanois 'feel' to them. Quite a few musicians helping out in and amongst, all of whom add a great deal to the whole. Simply put, a stunning album
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