MP3 Eric Anders - Songs For Wayward Days

Anti-Bush anthem "A Man For No Season" ... and two more lefty, thought-provoking, and moving ditties from this somewhat world-weary singer-songwriter.

3 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, ROCK: Classic Rock



Details:
This three-song EP was born in the summer of 2004 and the offspring of what was probably a common political malaise for liberals during the years of the Bush presidency that preceded its birth--and with the (ultimately vain) hope of having some impact, however small, on the election soon after.

My hope was to express some of my feelings about Bush's presidency, and the feeling I and probably a billion others have around the world that the US is headed in the wrong direction under the influence of the neo-cons in power.

This EP was produced by Jeff Peters and primarily recorded at Soundcastle in Silverlake. We were fortunate to have Elvis Costello's rhythm section on board: hall-of-famer Pete Thomas on drums, and Davey Faragher on bass. Randy Ray Mitchell played the guitar, and that's Arlan Schierbaum on keys and accordion.

Praise for Songs for Wayward Days:

Orange County Register, October 29, 2004, Robert Kinsler:
Regardless of what side of the political fence they call home, listeners of artists ranging from David Gray and Nick Drake to R.E.M. will fully enjoy all of Anders' material, including his excellent commercial debut, Not at One, and forthcoming full-length sophomore release, More Regrets.... But while there is a timeliness to "A Man for No Season," his song criticizing Bush, the music, lyrical depth and production ensure that the songs on Songs for Wayward Days will sound as good a decade from now as they do today.

Aquarian Weekly, October 6, 2004, Al Muzer:
Putting his scheduled sophomore effort on hold in order to rush-release this EP prior to the election Anders, while not waving banners or shouting at the top of his lungs, doesn't bother to disguise his disgust and distaste for the current occupant of the White House, hence lyrics such as: "Since he is so false, as head of the state, To treason equate..." Adding an urgent, Coldplay-meets-David Gray pulse to the timely yet tasteful messages are former Cracker bassist Davy Faragher and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas.

Smother.net J-Sin
Excellent three-song selection of folk rock cum electronica by Eric Anders whose voice is one of the chorus of those musicians seeking an end to the Bush dynasty. "Warrior Kin" is seemingly dedicated to his own warrior kin who served in past wars for our great nation. Indeed its songs like that that shake a fist in the general direction of the conservative juggernaut who suggests that dissent is paramount to unpatriotic soldier-hate, which obviously couldn't be further from the truth. Thanks goes to Eric Anders for packaging such neat songs that could sit aside David Grey (and perhaps Damien Rice) in any subway car without so much as a blink and putting a damn fine message behind each one.

Indieville.com Matt Shimmer
Eric Anders' Songs For Wayward Days is an intelligent, mature EP that matches literate lyrics with catchy songwriting. "A Man for No Season" and "Warrior Kin" are downtrodden, slower songs with strong choruses that cleverly express Anders' distaste with his country's current government. "How Low and Why" is the EP's more upbeat pop song - it's a tight arrangement, combining a subtle 70s tendency with a modern folk-rock flair. Whether you're politically motivated or not, it should be easy to appreciate these three infectious, intellectual songs. Congratulations to Anders for a thoroughly satisfying CD.

Popmatters.com Music Short Takes, January 17, 2005, By Jason MacNeil:
This three-song EP is a mini political trilogy of tunes that this singer-songwriter has created with care and craftsmanship. Beginning with "A Man For No Season", Anders haunting folks brings to mind a mix of Ron Sexsmith and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham as he talks about Sir Thomas More and the "travesties of state". The chorus pulls you in as Anders is helped out by a couple of backing musicians, namely two-third of Elvis Costello's Attractions in drummer Pete Thomas and bassist Davey Faragher. "How Low and Why" is more funky and meatier as the guitars wind themselves around Anders' strong vocals. The only knock is that he just teases the listener with three tunes, including "Warrior Kin" with a smidgeon of Celtic influence. If he has nine or 10 additional ones like these in the can, put them out my good man!

KDHX, St. Louis
I don't know who this guy is, but anybody who can use Sir Thomas More in a pop song that's really complaining about the state of today's United States leadership has something going for him, especially when it's all this catchy. And, he uses Davey Faragher and Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello's Imposters in his backing band.