I’m always in the mood for this sleepy sort of pop song, this time from The Red Button. Principals, Mike Ruekberg and Seth Swirsky, have been writing and producing music in L.A. for more than a decade: composing soundtracks and writing songs for the likes of Al Green, respectively. The two met in 2004 when Seth was working on a solo record and discovered they had a mutual love for concise, melodic pop songs. So they began creating just that. Their album, She’s About to Cross My Mind, reminds me of a mix between the woefully obscure song-crafting wizard Erik Voeks on his album, Sandbox, and seminal pop-rockers The Posies. Coincidentally, those last two artists were in heavy rotation on the college radio station (AM 960: The Student Underground Network) Sam, Clay, and I launched way back when: sharing the sharing v.1. The Red Button’s retrospective melodies have me reminiscing like that today, the day after 3hive quietly celebrated our third year of existence. We hope to instigate more intensive festivities in the near future once our lives, mine in particular, settle down a bit. The proverbial dance card’s been booked lately.
It's rare to hear this type of music these days. Call it "Beatlesque" if you like but it's as legitimate as the blues or any other genre and I'll always love this style. Best thing since the sweet sixties.
It's something that I feel was almost needed. Not to take away from the Peter Bjorn's or the Lonely Dear's, but there's some other stuff out there that deserves some attention, too.
Crisp, retro, and delightfully soothing, this group has a touch, musical or otherwise. Its 11 tracks of refreshing power pop with catchy lyrics and the kind of tunes you hum to in the car. She's About To Cross My Mind is my favorite, with I Could Get Used To You and Floating By rounding out my top 3. Hip, clever and The Beatles all over again. Great stuff.
i have to agree with the other comments, its a great beatlesque feel and i haven't stopped listening to it since i stumbled on it. there has been nothing like it since the rutles anthology, but my stumblins' are few and far between. buy it and enjoy it.
This record is full of rich vocals and dreamy, relaxing melodies. After listening to it three times in its entirety you realize that there is no predication behind asking for more. Each track flows almost seemingly in rhythm to the next making it one sophisticated musical display. Not self indulgent or distracting in any way, it takes the essence of what makes pop stand and seasons its own style and flavor in the areas you wouldn't expect. Songs like 'Can't Stop Thinking About Her' and 'She's Going Down' are examples of what you will find yourself humming in the elevator waiting for your floor. It carefully sends almost a tongue in cheek, wink wink perspective on love and relationsips in such a way where it's clear the artists know how we all come from the same place in dealing with fondness and affection.
She's About To Cross My Mind is the first bona fide hit album of 2007 and prepares one for the summer months without mercy. Precious and absorbing, whatever you interpret from these 11 songs will reach the same conclusion in the celebration of pure pop. Brave in literally immersing itself in its subject matter, its impulsive, sweet, genuine and most of all bursting with acute touches of lyrical heaven. "She's Going Down," "Can't Stop Thinking About Her," "Its No Secret," all my favorite tunes and all suited to guide you to a relaxing music session in the middle months of the calendar. Break down the classics you sing to yourself and those qualities are right around the corner in style and class with no overly extended jams or loud noises. Somehow combining definitive links to the 60s but proving to be a new map in the pop stratosphere, The Red Button has the awareness to convince us that even when we're always moving, there's still always time to sit down and think about your favorite loves.
It's mid-September and this record has been in my car since March. 'Nuff said.