Kasey Anderson Dead Roses CD

Produced by Eric Ambel, the second album from Bellingham, Washington's Kasey Anderson conjures up images of alternative country renegade Steve Earle. It may be because Ambel has worked with Earle, but few will deny that Anderson's raspy, desolate delivery on "This Old Town" -- the lead track on Dead Roses -- echoes the man behind Transcendental Blues. The forum that builds this ode to regret is where Anderson is most effective, as he serves up evocative, ragged ballads like "Hold on Caroline" and the tear-jerking orphan ode "Raining in Hattiesburg." Tougher moments, like the heartfelt Son Volt-like "Hard on Me" and the whiskeyed-up Rolling Stones feel of "5th Avenue Queen" are fun but less impressionable. In a brave move, Anderson delivers "Weary Heart," a pensive and soulful nugget where he confesses "[There] ain't no difference between fallin' in love and fallin' apart." It winds up being his warmest moment. ~ John D. Luerssen

With his second album, "Dead Roses," 24-year-old, Bellingham-based singer/songwriter Kasey Anderson offers up a strong collection of songs, the hallmark of which is evocative lyrics combined with carefully crafted arrangements.Recorded in New York City during October 2002, "Dead Roses" is indicative of Anderson's growth as a songwriter and musician since the release of his debut album, "Harold St. Blues," in August 2001. Listening to his first album, with its image-laden lyrics and strong narrative sensibilities, it is easy to hear why No Depression magazine praised Anderson as being a writer with a "real melodic gift" who writes "darkly rich songs." "When I listened to 'Harold St. Blues,'" said Tim O'Laughlin of Rambles.net, "my first impression was of hearing the first steps of a long journey, one that had just begun but was destined to cover a tremendous distance."Cover tremendous distance he did, and during the year between the release of "Harold St. Blues" and the recording of "Dead Roses," Anderson spent his time writing songs and putting together his band, as well as sharing the stage with such artists as Steve Earle, The Supersuckers, Jesse Malin, Tift Merritt, and Jesse Sykes. Along the way, he got a little bit of an education and spent a lot of time honing his craft. Evidence of his musical growth can be found everywhere on "Dead Roses," from the straightforward rock 'n' roll of "5th Avenue Queen" and the album's title track, "Dead Roses (and Blood Red Wine)," to the poignant and haunting "Emaline" and "Raining in Hattiesburg." "'Dead Roses' is a far more conceptual and mature album," Anderson says. "I feel more at home in my own skin as a songwriter; I feel like I've found my voice." Part of what makes "Dead Roses" such a strong album is that Anderson was able to surround himself with people who shared his vision--and possessed the talent to translate that vision into fact. The album was produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (Steve Earle, The Yayhoos) and features members of Anderson's backing band, along with bassist Billy Mercer (Ryan Adams, Matthew Ryan, Mindy Smith), and guest appearances by Joe Flood and Casey Neill. The result is an album that reflects the singularity of Anderson's songwriting abilities while respecting the tradition of artists that inspired his skill. In other words, it's a snapshot of Anderson's unique perspective, set against the backdrop of such influences as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle. It's a fine balance, but Anderson pulls it off well. "It sounds like rock 'n' roll. It sounds like country music. It sounds like folk music," Anderson says. "At this point, I'm not reinventing the wheel. Every song touches on the topics of love, loss, faith, hope, or some combination thereof. The key isn't so much to have your audience saying, 'I never thought of that.' It's to have them saying, 'I never thought of it that way.'"Mojo (Publisher) (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "He shares Earle's vocal tone and mannerisms, that affecting way a word fades and falls at the end of some lines..."