Undressing Underwater

Background

Undressing Underwater was recorded at Oxide Studios in Southern California, Sunset Sound and Henson Studios. The album was self-produced by Anderson, along with David Kahne, Mudrock and Parthenon Huxley.

The title of the album was picked by Anderson from a boyscout handbook of the early sixties that listed various things to do underwater, including getting undressed.

The leading track "Hurt Myself" features most of the touring Paul McCartney band, Sir Paul on bass and backing vocals, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums, David Kahne on keyboards and production duties, and Wix Wickens adding additional keyboards.

Anderson stated in an interview that the majority of the recordings "were done in between touring" with Paul McCartney. In that same interview, Anderson mentions that "the songs are mostly about facing one's demons and attempting to bottle them".

Track listing

1. "Hurt Myself" – 3:21
2. "Devil’s Spaceship" – 4:36
3. "Electric Trains" – 4:20
4. "Damaged Goods" – 4:29
5. "Coming Down To Earth" – 4:10
6. "Ol’ Sparky" – 4:04
7. "Catbox Beach" – 4:28
8. "ishmael" -3:45
9. "Sentimental Chaos" – 4:14
10. "Everybody Deserves An A in This Country" – 3:30

Reception

The reception of Undressing Underwater was generally positive. Gary Glauber of PopMatters stated that the album was "an impressive debut from a startlingly talented musician who has taken a lot of time to get things right". Some reviewers praised Anderson for the number of big-ticket guest stars on the album, from McCartney to Parthenon Huxley. Anderson’s guitar playing ability, experimental views to rock music, and striving to create new combinations of music were mentioned among the positives of the album.

However, reviewers noted that the album did not live up to the greatness that was expected, as stated by a reviewer: "The material itself seems somewhat limited... most of them don't seem to reverberate very far". Reviewer Meredith Williams stated that Rusty Anderson "provides the oh-so-common rock-pop appeal of a catchy chorus, with guitar solos echoing in the background — but not always effectively".

Personnel