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Mike Andrews : Hand On String
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"4 STARS...GORGEOUS." - SPIN MAGAZINE...SOLO DEBUT from the SCORE COMPOSER of DONNIE DARKO and ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW aka ELGIN PARK of THE GREYBOY ALLSTARS
Genre: Rock: Folk Rock
Release Date: 2006
Hand On String
Mike Andrews
Record Label: Elgin Park Recordings
  • Buy CD - $12.97
  • Download Album (MP3) - $9.99

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. Something Already Happened Again 2:05 + MP3 $0.99
2. Tracings 4:26 + MP3 $0.99
3. Just a Thought 3:29 + MP3 $0.99
4. Orange Meet Lemon 3:18 + MP3 $0.99
5. See Me Plain 4:36 + MP3 $0.99
6. Sweeping Cleaning and Organizing 1:43 + MP3 $0.99
7. Love is Tired 3:43 + MP3 $0.99
8. Hand On String 5:18 + MP3 $0.99
9. Hello Lemon 2:23 + MP3 $0.99
10. Through the Fog 4:45 + MP3 $0.99
11. Before the Echo 3:55 + MP3 $0.99
12. Something Already Happened 2:45 + MP3 $0.99
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Album Notes

Mike Andrews' Hand On String reviewed....

from ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Mike Andrews, who created the magical score for Donnie Darko, delivers a poetic first solo album that proves he doesn't need another's narrative to produce inspired work. The story he tells is of the precariousness of relationships, illustrating it with diaphanous vocals, off-kilter arrangements, good old-fashioned musicianship (he plays most of the instruments), and charming eccentricity — two Hand on String songs reference citrus (''Hello Lemon,'' ''Orange Meet Lemon''). It takes nerve to step out from behind the scenes, but in this case, the effort was most fruitful. Grade: A-

from SPIN MAGAZINE
Mike Andrews is best known for composing the scores of cult film Donnie Darko and cult TV show Freaks and Geeks. But on his gorgeous pop debut, the California multi-instrumentalist establishes his own dark romanticism, whispering through a fog of guitar effects (you'd swear he was playing a harpsichord and Mellotron). His melancholy mood pieces are designed to keep you awake longer than any midnight movie. 4 STARS!

"...Hand on String is a melodic, melancholy collection reminiscent of artists like Nick Drake and Smog...." -LA Weekly

"...a skilled ear for composition and mood, diverse instrumentation, gentle delivery, and subtle variety...'Tracings' will haunt your very core with its beautiful slide guitar...." - Tiny Mix Tapes

" ...a beautifully orchestrated, hauntingly played album of intricate music...." - Spacelab

"...Andrews echoes vintage acoustic troubadours such as Nick Drake and Cat Stevens, juxtaposing mellow, sunny soul with eerie and consumptive darkness. Although the music on Hand is a marked departure from the Allstars' jazz- and funk-tinged boogie, it's equally ambitious...." -Westword

"...One of LA's finest musicians and producers...." -Kcrw.com

For more on Mike Andrews, Elgin Park and Hand On String or to purchase the Hand On String lyric & picture book please visit www.elginpark.com and www.myspace.com/elginpark.

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REVIEWS

kind of Nilsson-y
author: mdmphd
                            
I have this at work and am listening over and over.  Mike sometimes reminds me of Harry Nilsson in the creative stretch and I enjoy the Henry Gaffney/HN sound. Well, that's what got me to buy the cd in the first place(from one of these reviews) and I'm enjoying it immensely.

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Delicate subtle fun epic
author: JT
                            
Glorious music in here. Reserved, melancholy, fun. Michael Andrews has made an album filled with relaxed, fun, and powerful songs. It's the electronic touches that make his sound truly distinct, the lovely simple casio and low-cut moogy synths that weave in and around guitar and lyrics. The swelling epic of "Love Is Tired" brings to mind the best of DeVotchKa, and the lyrical gentleness of Sufjan Stevens, but it's the enveloping airy synthesized swells that make it a true epic, and distinctly Michael Andrews. Each song is a gem, a treasure, some sweet, some icy. "Just a Thought" should pique the ears of any Harry Nilsson fan, it's just too fun. To me, "Hello Lemon" is the funnest song. It's a guilty pleasure, Andrews in a citrusy sassy form. You'll be "ba ba ba baa"ing to it when you least expect it.

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Great music.
author: kblang58@yahoo.com
                            
Hands On String is an amazing cd.  It is mellow yet originally crafty.  Are there angels singing in the background?  : /  Thanks again for the great music.

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This is my current favorite CD
author: Annie
                            
I am just a person who loves good music so this review won’t sound as professional as the previous ones but it is from the heart.  I knew Michael was going to be exceptional the first time I heard his version of Mad World.  I went to cd baby and listened to Hand on String (thank you cd baby for this feature).  I was simply mesmerized.  Michael is truly eclectic- each piece is distinctively different from the one before. He does quirky, romantic, jazz and more. To master such a plethora of instruments and styles is a rare gift.  He truly is a musical genius. And then to finally hear his voice- a voice which was a pleasant surprise.  Sometimes he’s whispery and sounds so similar to his good friend Gary Jules,  sometimes full voiced, but always passionate.  I am looking forward to more from Michael.

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