So earlier this week I posted a quick review of Jason Anderson’s The Hopeful & The Unafraid and here I am following-up with another post on the same album. I not only feel the need to share with you all another gorgeous song by Mr. Anderson (watch, I will post them all eventually!), but also want to prove that he is not just another Bruce Springsteen parody.


“My latest obsession is a little unshaven man named Jason Anderson. His album The Hopeful and The Unafraid on K Records is on constant rotation for the last couple weeks. Not only are there remarkable, intense songs but also you can’t help but pick up the super positive energy of a happy solo-genius. I can see why Calvin Johnson put this guy’s record out.


While you listen to this song, you might hear the bastard mutant love child of Bruce Springsteen and the late Joe Strummer. If you watch the video, you might wonder if this is vintage Jack Johnson. Nope, none of the above – It’s all Jason.”



If you listened to the first track I posted, “El Paso”, you heard an 8-minute song that is so close to Springsteen, it’s almost embarrassing. But there is magic behind Mr. Anderson, which makes even the most conscious forgive him quickly. The man makes music with his audience, stays off the stage, loses his ego and most definitely sings his precious heart out.


Fabulous MOGGER , Zarpex, wrote:


“I think someone like this is could really have an important effect on rock; I don't dig live shows as a rule, but here's an extremely promising direction. Glenn Tillbrook (from what I gather) does something comparable in his solo shows - apparently the audience sitting in their chairs singing along at the top of their lungs isn't involvement enough for him; he will lead them out of whatever venue it is on mad, unplanned dashes down crowded streets, playing his guitar all the while the singing uninterrupted. They might wind up boarding a subway, or running through an office building, or into someone's house.


But maybe this guy, however close to the bullseye he's getting, isn't quite the one to pull it off. I'm hearing a TON of Springsteen, and I could never abide his muck...


Still; like I said - or hopefully implied - this is may be just the right new territory for rock to explore. Humanize it.


Good spotting.”


Word. I love candor. “Humanize it” – brilliant.


But yes, I do think Mr. Anderson could be the man who could change the way we see rock shows.





Okay start the song “July 4, 2004” now.


Are you listening? Is this not a radio hit? On K Records?


Gawd, give this guy an hour on NPR and see what happens.

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A Seth says:

I like this, but I'm confused by the claim that this style of performance represents a new direction. On the one hand, most towns I've lived in have a more or less robust underground scene where musicians play at the same level and mix in with their audience, teaching choruses and the like. On the other hand, the ethos whereby the line between production and consumption, performer and audience, is erased, transgressed, or otherwise blurred,--isn't this a classic punk (how's that for an oxymoron) pillar?

Posted 13 days ago | Delete

brandarius says:

you are good. and highlarious.

i totally agree that Jason's style is nothing new; his act mirrors the classic punk shtick, the subway busker and the camp counselor with a guitar - all rolled into one. while his style is very underground chic, his music is no where near punk, bordering on the mainstream.

why do i keep on hearing the words, "sing along if you know the lyrics!"

i don't know...there is something that is special about this performer. and i just want to share my excitement in his amazing voice & spirit. what i was talking about is bringing this style of performance out of the underground into the bigger clubs, theaters and arena. is it possible? i think so...

barry manilow might not do it, but you know elvis costello would.

Posted 13 days ago | Delete