antiMusic.com: Eric Anders & Mark O'Bitz

Eric Anders & Mark O'Bitz - Of All These Things

.
Perhaps, the most 'normal' way to become a music artist is to dream about it, buy a guitar and practice in your room until you're ready to do it out in public. Don't tell this to Eric Anders, though, who formed a duo with Mark O'Bitz to create Of All These Things. Anders was 37 years old, training for the most unmusical career of a psychoanalyst when he met Mark at a Pasadena, California show. Anders needed someone to accompany him, and since necessity is the mother of invention - as they say - these two formed a duo.

This pair began writing songs together in 2002, but most of these tunes found a home on Anders' solo releases. Now, these two have created an album with both their names on the marquee. The result is a mostly gentle, thoughtful collection of songs. "I Used to Be Another," for instance, is a picturesque folkish song that conjures up mental images of wide-open spaces.

Lyrically, these songs are thoughtful and deep, as you might expect from a psychoanalyst. However, it's as sonically beautiful as it is lyrically intelligent, and it's a darn good thing these two finally decided to make an album together.

Eric Anders & Mark O'Bitz - Of All These Things
Rating: