SD Rock N Roll Reviews "Beyond The Lights"

Album Review by SD Rock N Roll

Nena Anderson’s Beyond The Lights – Album Review
Written on October 24, 2011 by Rick in San Diego Rock News

Nena Anderson’s new album Beyond The Lights is a handful of honky tonk lost love laments. The album’s ten songs focus on Anderson’s alluringly smooth vocals with the sturdy starter “I Fall In Love Too Fast” setting the table. Nena’s subtle vocal approach grabs your ear before its slow and sultry pace moves into a soft, swinging dance. She establishes her ability to tug at the heart strings early on, using an unassuming vocal style that lulls you into a comfortable listening place.
The second song “Daggers” starts to ever-so-slightly raise the vocal stakes as Anderson opens up and begins to push her range. It doesn’t hurt that she can lean on the fine playing of pedal steel guitarist David Berzansky as he creates a moody back drop. The rollicking “Daggers” also features the first of many of the album’s extremely tasty guitar solos from producer and guitarist Mike Butler.
In the third song “Sink or Swim,” Anderson wades through a bluesy shuffle with Butler dropping a quaint, jazzy flurry before the song fades into a whisper.
A few songs pass before the album finds its groove again, though song five “Long Goodbye” sounds like it can fit comfortably on any good Cowboy Junkies album. However, it’s “Promises” that cracks the whip and sets the album back on pace as the band jumps into a strong groove with Anderson pleading “Easy baby you don’t have to throw stones my way.”
It’s halfway through track number 8, “One More,” that I’m convinced of Anderson’s ability to craft multiple styles of music. Be it the heart-grabbing emotion she uses on the slower waltzes, or the punch she delivers to the up-tempo jumping jukes, Nena Anderson has a firm grasp on songwriting. She ends Beyond The Lights in style with a slow blues walk. The album closer starts with a sparse acapella before she and the boys use a slow, stinging blues pace to bring the title track home. Anderson’s ten song affair is a compelling alt country ride that casts a spotlight on a vocal and songwriting ability that is sure to last.

'Daggers' Live at The Museum of Making Music

Part of The Museum of Making Music's Local Flavor series.

ThreeBzine Reviews "Beyond The Lights"

Beyond the Lights: Falling in Love with Nena Anderson

Posted by ThreeBZine on September 14th, 2011

“I Fall in Love Too Fast” is the new single from Nena Anderson’s debut album, Beyond the Lights, but it might as well refer to how quickly you’ll become enamored with her on first listen. Recently released to unanimous praise, the Encinitas native has fashioned a solid collection of gorgeous songs that sound like they’ve been spinning on turntables since the 60’s. And if the lead-off single somehow doesn’t do the trick, songs like “Sink or Swim” and “Daggers” will have you hopelessly hooked.
Maybe it’s the melodies that seem instantly familiar; or maybe it’s her voice – a sweet, tender, yet strong and soulful instrument full of both melancholy and resiliency. In an age of bombastic, belting wannabe-divas, it’s refreshing to hear a charming, understated and tasteful singer like Nena. Her new album could rightfully take it’s place as soundtrack de facto for the poor, broken-hearted souls... continue to read the review and interview HERE

Music Video Premier - "I Fall In Love Too Fast"

Official Music Video for "I Fall In Love Too Fast" the first single from Nena Anderson's debut album BEYOND THE LIGHTS. All shot on location in Los Angeles.
Nena Anderson: vocals/guitar, Mike Butler: guitar, Patrick McClory: bass, Brian Cantrell: drums, David Berzansky: pedal steel
Cd or digital download available on Itunes, Amazon and CdBaby.
Directed by D. David Morin http://www.ddavidmorin.com
Produced by Lofty Films http://www.loftyfilms.net
I Fall In Love Too Fast ©2010 Nena Anderson, Antique Rodeo BMI
©2011 Nena Anderson & D. David Morin/Lofty Films