Album Notes

Second home-recorded CD-R by acclaimed singer-songwriter Rob Christensen. Think "Automatic For The People" crossed with "Blood On The Tracks."

*****

Fred Cornog, Jim Shelley, Shelley Blake...now let Rob Christensen into the lonely-lo-fi-home-recording-guy club. He's that good. Christensen's weary, aching love songs have drawn comparison to REM, which he acknowledges as an influence but adds Neil Young, the Beatles, Elvis Costello, Joni MItchell, Rolling Stones, Prince and Bob Mould to the list. August company to be sure (I'll toss in Dylan and Fred Neil for good measure), but they've all written worse songs than "September Knows." I vaguely recall having gotten Christensen's Smile Slightly tape but don't think I ever listened to it. A crying shame, but I'm glad to have this one. - Jim Santo, www.demouniverse.com.

*****

The promo material that was sent with this cassette said "think Automatic For The People crossed with Blood On The Tracks." Well, Christensen's phrasing is certainly reminiscent of Michael Stipe, but what I hear in these songs is the slow, hazy melancholy of folks like Mazzy Star. This is the first tape I've heard from Rob, and I definitely want to hear more.
Often sung with little more than a guitar and a light snare drum for accompaniment, these songs are lonely, stark and haunting. "September Knows" and "Free For All" seep into your soul and sit there, like a bout of seasonal depression. Christensen's cracked, emotive vocals suit the songs' desperation perfectly. I don't know if this stuff is based on personal experience, but it sounds like there's some genuine emotional turmoil going on here. The Truth Hurts is more spellbinding, and more genuine, than any poseur currently wasting your time on the radio.
Like the promo flyer says, "Summer is sad when August is over." Amen. - Ray Carmen, Reviews By Ray

*****

Rob Christensen delivers a solid album of searching electric/acoustic songs that cut to the bone of personal relationships. Christensen's sound combines folk rock, country, and a bit of blues that feels very, very from the heart, expressing clear emotions with a direct life-poetry. Fans of Dylan will certainly find another real artist here. Highly recommended. - Brian Baker, Gajoob