CD Baby by
A Talented lyricist and singer/country songwriter J.C. Andersen presents a thrilling, 10-track disc of professional modern male country pop/rock. Packed with plenty of honky tonky twang and traditional heartbeat, his songs embrace the warmth and resonance of modern country, taking the best from both worlds. There is a true sense of craft here and these well-balanced songs walk that fine line in production between over-indulgence and depravation-there is a stedy commitment to equalization between harmony, melody, lyric and rhythm, each part finding balance with the others and enhancing the whole. Definitely a noteworthy album.
Music Row Magazine by Robert K. Oermann
The best news of all is that I found a double Discovery in this weeks stack of platters. The J.C. Andersen CD is not only a treat as a new artist, its also a sonic delight by its producer, Ted Hewitt. My heartiest congratulations for a job well done by both. Reviewed by Robert K. Oermann J.C. Andersen/Sweeter Than Sugarcane. Writer: John Scott Sherrill:Producer Ted Hewitt:Publisher:Sony ATV Tree/Big Yellow Dog/Cry Wolf/BMI,Norstar (track) Hewitt's touch as a producer is just right. The spare percussion, interwoven guitars, lightly chiming mandolin and soft vocal harmonies make this sound as comfy as a lovingly stitched country quilt. Andersen's tender tenor caresses every line. You'll also find this enchanting song on Melonie Cannon's fine CD. Andersen's CD is titled When the Tide Rolls In--you'll fall in love with its hillbilly rockers as well as its gentle ballads.
Country Stars OnLine by George Peden CSO Staff Journalist
Here at CSO headquarters, the mailman lugs and struggles to deliver another weekly shipment from independent hopefuls. After sorting the pile, we begin the slow sift. They're all here: older performers, the youthful, the hopeful and the awkward, and along the way, and sometimes, the exceptional. Enter Nashvillian, J.C.Andersen.
Let's just skip the superlatives and get straight to it. Wow! This talented 21-year old -- he writes as well as sings - has all the right ingredients for his debut, When The Tide Rolls In. Already the album has critics applauding the effort, and many local and overseas radio stations are quickly finding places on tight play lists for this Fort Lauderdale native. And why not, as this is a keeper.
There is not one low point on this album. Produced by noted console man Ted Hewitt, whose recent interest Rodney Atkins is zooming up Billboard, has pulled together a choice song list -contributing 4 co-writes with his "If you're Going Through Hell...". Hewitt has scored a bull's eye here. He's saddled Andersen with a tight and capable band (noted session players with perfect pedigrees), and mixed in a commercially viable blend of ballads and barn kickers, married to a youthful tenor and polished enthusiasm; the result is a winner. Andersen is no slouch in the vocal area. His rich and full tenor, velvet when needed and complete with all the energy of a thunderstorm when he cuts loose, is a selling point. The well-thought-out song choices, too, add to an album that is as much a surprise as a delight.
The album is fires from the first pounded beat of "Leanin". Written by Hewitt, Atkins and Max T.Barnes, the tune is a Saturday night toe tapper. It sits easy in the mix with other choice tunes - "When The Tide Rolls In," the fiddle-drenched "Sing Along" and Andersen's own lyrical offering, the softly shuffled, "A Kiss Away".
While Andersen brings grit and toughness to his rockier cuts, it�s in the softer takes that he shines. His easy on the ear phrasing, his controlled sharing of emotion, works well on tracks like "All Along" and his self-disclosed album favorite, "Sweeter Than Sugarcane."
On a faultless album, there are so many good tunes; but there's one, if given the needed push that could make for Andersen's breakthrough: "The Girl That Broke Joe's Heart". The tune scores high on many fronts. Firstly, it's hook-driven and comes with a modern story-line. That story, written by Butch Baker, Ted Hewitt and Wil Nance reads: boy meets girl, girl leaves boy, and new face on the scene arrives and hooks up with girl, only to find she's the ex of his best friend - truly the stuff of heart-worn country. And Andersen nails it. "The Girl" is well-produced, well played, well written, and delivered with the polished class of anything doing the radio rounds and enjoying high Billboard placement at the moment. It's a knockout tune.
Here at CSO headquarters, from our Independent mailbag, we sometimes get to hear something that's vibrant, original and fuelled with possibility - J.C.Andersen' s, When The Tide Rolls In, hits that mark.
Congratulations to J.C., his producer and the boys in the band. The young wannabe has nailed a take-notice album with his first venture. The best is surely to come as we monitor, watch and wait. In the meantime, let's support the effort. Buy the album.
No.1 Award Winning Country Music Magazine by Julie Flaskett
J.C. Andersen When The Tide Rolls In Producer: Ted Hewitt
When he pitched up in Nashville, J.C. Andersen landed on his feet when he met Ted Hewitt. The writer and producer has given this indie record the sound and feel of a major label production, showcasing Andersen's youthful tenor. The songs are well chosen, too, sitting comfortably with Andersen's age and outlook. Some have previously been tucked away on albums, including several from Hewitt himself along with another of his, Rodney Atkins. So the standard is high and will have you wondering where you've heard the songs before. You Are is probably the most recognizable and commercial song here. Previously cut by John Michael Montgomery. Andersen follows the same pacey and insistent arrangement. The gentle, nostalgic Sweeter Than Sugarcane could be found on Melonie Cannon's debut last year, while The Girl that Broke Joe's Heart is an old Hewitt co-write with Butch Baker, an artist I sadly haven't heard anything of for a few years now. Andersen gets two of his own songs on to the set: the title track, When The Tide Rolls In, is a generic "driving away from a broken romance" song. Somewhat predictable, but nonetheless enjoyable for all that, with some perky guitar work and Andersen throwing himself into the lyric. His other song, A Kiss Away, is an ok love song. Favorite track here is the easy going midpacer, Nobody Does Nothin', with its storyline about a guy escaping from the rat race and taking it easy, while the last verse supplies a great, so typical, Music Row twist. Excellent stuff. Also enjoyable is Hearts and Horses , another Atkins/Hewitt song together with one Brian Gowan (who cut it for an album I never heard) and has a storyline that compares breaking hearts to breaking horses- fortunately, it isn't as crass or awkward as that implies. The feel and mood of the album is light and positive. There are no real downers certainly no honkytonkers, as he's probably still to young to venture into a bar- and all in all, When The Tide Rolls In is a lively and enjoyable set from a young man trying out for the majors.
Country Music Online by Janelle Landauer
Andersen is a new artist hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Even if Andersen is only 20 years old,he has it together like a veteran from a vocal stand point. Andersen can really sing just about anything and his main attribute is his voice. Andersen is an independent artist, but he has several qualities that the top artist possess. Andersen has a great collection of songs on this debut-most notably "Sweeter Than Sugarcane" "A Kiss Away" "When the Tide Rolls In", and "You Are". "Sweeter Than Sugarcane was on an album earlier this year-Melonie Cannon's debut Skaggs Family Records. Cannon did a fantastic rendition of this song as well. "Sweeter Than Sugarcane" hands down, tops this album from Andersen. Nothing could surpass Andersen and his pure, soft vocals on "Sweeter Than Sugarcane". Read Complete Review Here
Tampa Tribune Newspaper by Curtis Ross
J.C. Andersen, "When the Tide Rolls In": Raised in Polk County, Nashville resident Andersen has the looks and voice for Music City stardom, His debut ia a slick mix of ballads and line-step naturals.
» more
