Eric Anders' second full-length CD, More Regrets, grabbed my attention right away. Although this CD truly fits more closely with the alternative genre and really only showcases a few folk-rock tunes, I still feel it is a good album worth mentioning here. More Regrets is certainly more engaging than many other CDs I've reviewed for Rambles.NET.

The first thing you will notice about Eric is his distinctive voice. His vocal range is rather high for a guy, yet somehow still masculine. He often sounds like he's singing from his upper throat, which provides for an almost timid performance. Fortunately, he writes songs such that the music is supportive of his style rather than over-powering it, which could easily happen.

The title track, "More Regrets," is one of the better songs on the CD. Eric is nostalgic as he sings, "I said it's over and there are no regrets/But I said so much that couldn't stand the test." The music almost guides the listener to zone out and reminisce about a relationship gone sour. When a relationship is over, you tend to remember the good aspects and regret where things went wrong despite what you might say out loud.

The most folk-rock oriented song on the album is "Remembering on My Own (Himalachia Mountain Low)." The piece is mostly led by the guitar. If keyboards are used (as on most songs on this CD), it is very subtle. Eric again reaches into his past, looking at photographs that trigger painful memories. It can be hard to think about what you've lost after it is gone. Now he is waiting for that certain someone who is supposed to happen by and lighten his life by being the perfect fit. Good luck on that quest, Eric. Some people think everyone has a soul mate and if you just keep holding on, then one day ... one day....

In most cases, Anders co-wrote the songs with various folks. While he sings, he leaves the instruments to other people, including Randy Ray Mitchell (guitars and programming), Zac Rae (keyboards), Jorgen Carlsson (bass), Butch (drums and percussion), Adrienne Woods (cello) and David Jackson (upright bass).

More Regrets is not the usual fare you see reviewed on Rambles.NET. However, good music is good music. If you happen to enjoy songs that cross the border between folk-rock and alternative, then you might be interested in Eric Anders. I personally think the first half of More Regrets is better than average. The second half is comparatively disappointing, but not bad in its own right.

by Wil Owen
Rambles.NET
8 July 2006

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