Andy Spitson

...... You were good a couple of years ago, but you are even better now. We are looking forward to your EP, and to your next show close enough to attend.

Richard
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.....I really enjoyed your music, keep playing!

Alex
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Hey Andy- Great job tonight! Hope to catch you again soon...

Jen - Fan Comments

Local singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Andy Spitson’s new EP All Eyes On You, although a pop album through and through, displays both eclectic influences and quality musicianship.

The EP is a slight departure from Spitson’s all-acoustic, folk-rock-oriented 2006 EP Love’s Not a Tough Start.

While Spitson clearly has a penchant for 1950s/1960s-inspired guitar-driven roots rock on All Eyes On You, as heard on the songs “First, It’s the Crush” and “Hand Jives and High Fives,” he also supplies some infectious piano and organ grooves on “No Place Like Your Heart” and “Dear Friend.” “No Place Like Your Heart” also features some subtle, shimmering clean guitars that remind me of The Cure.

Spitson plays all instruments except drums on the EP, and handles all vocal duties as well. He has taken a step up in terms of composition since Love’s Not a Tough Start, and in the process shows he is quite adept at layering melodies, and his guitar playing has become more varied and multidimensional.

All Eyes On You was also recorded and mixed fairly well for its genre. The EP is not excessively polished and compressed, and thus sounds more genuine, warm and textured than a lot of pop albums these days, as well as giving all the instruments more breathing room in the mix. The EP was mastered by Mark Muraski at The Fuse, a Rockford studio Muraski co-owns with Miles Nielsen, son of Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen.

Spitson said he plans to release a full-length CD next summer that will include the four songs on the EP plus 11 more.

To catch Spitson live, visit Potbelly Sandwich Works in Lake Geneva, Wis., where he will play some weekends in August, the dates for which he will post on his MySpace profile and Web site.

Considering the progression Spitson has made in two years, there is no telling what kind of musician he could become in a few more years. With All Eyes On You, he has already proven himself a competent vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, especially for a 21-year-old.

To hear some of Spitson’s music or read reviews and background information, visit andyspitson.com or myspace.com/andyspitson.

from the July 30-Aug. 5, 2008, issue
www.rockrivertimes.com - Rock River Times

Rating: 5 out of 5


What a difference a couple years can make! When I reviewed Andy Spitson’s first EP a couple years back at this very site, I found it to show promise. I also thought that it was lacking terms of variety with a monolithic texture. Well, Spitson listened and has given us a new EP that’s worlds better than that first one.

This is being billed as a preview of his upcoming full CD and if these four tracks are any indication, that’s going to be a great disc. The music here covers a number of different musical territories, but all of it shows off the fact that Spitson is a great songwriter. The vocals tend to have a bit of a punky texture and at times remind me of Elvis Costello. Spitson is not only a good songwriter, but also a solid guitarist. His solos on this disc, while not the kind of thing that will cause your mouth to hang open (who wants to swallow bugs anyway?) are always tasty and show a musician with an understanding of the nuances of his instrument.

Since we’ve only got four tracks here, it seems like a good idea to take a look at them one at time. Spitson leads the set off with “No Place Like Your Heart.” At four minutes, it’s the longest cut on the CD. It has an almost progressive rock feel to it at times. The overall effect, though, is of a catchy alternative pop rocker. This one probably comes the closest to the musical textures of the last EP, feeling like quite a natural extension of that sound. It’s a good opener.

Next up Spitson takes us to “First, It’s the Crush.” The track contains the title to the disc within its lyrics and has a punky, rock and roll texture to it. It’s a fairly basic rocker that’s both fun and tasty. You’ll probably make out equal parts Elvis Costello and The Rolling Stones here (with a bit of The Black Crowes thrown in for good measure).

“Dear Friend” is next in line. In some ways this track earns the Elvis Costello stamp more than the rest of the music here. Truly the keyboard laden, retro sounding song structure and arrangement could be taken for a Costello song. The vocals on the chorus are nearly a dead ringer, too. The singing on the verse, though, is the best of the disc and sounds nothing like Costello. The guitar soloing on this track is the tastiest of the set.

The closer is “Hand Jives & High 5ives.” The track is an old school rock and roller that is firmly rooted in Chuck Berry territory. The vocals probably bring it closer to the Beatles take on this – think “Twist and Shout.” In fact, that title is used in the midst of the lyrics to this one. It’s a cool way to end this set.

With this EP Spitson has really shown that he’s got what it takes. This is a great disc that is without question the new and improved model. As a taste of what’s to come with his full CD it has me waiting with bated breath for that release.

5/23/2008
www.beetcafe.com
www.musicstreetjournal.com - Beet Cafe

.... Amy from "Borders" also told us that this is the first time people in the store didn't ask for the musicians to stop playing so they could read. (We took that as a compliment) - Event Manager

Really nice chorus........Very good potential!

(comments about "Wondering") - Songwriters Resource Network

Andy is an incredible gifted guy. It has been my pleasure to host shows for him on many occasions. The kid gets better every time I see him, his future is bright. - "A Faceless Name"

Andy is an incredible gifted guy. It has been my pleasure to host shows for him on many occasions. The kid gets better every time I see him, his future is bright. - "A Faceless Name"

Sunday June 11th YPRecords is releasing Singer/Songwriter Andy Spitson's
Debut EP; "Love's Not A Tough Start" The event will be held at Stage Left Cafe in Woodstock,IL.
Many of you may be familier with Andy as the frontman for the Rock/Powerpop band "Spinderson", and as a member of the RAMI Award (Rockford Area Music Industry) winning band "M28".
While the EP originally started out as a side project Andy had been sporadicly recording between October '04 thru December '05 at A Place To Shine studio with Cassandra Vohs-Demann and The Fuse studio with Mark Muraski, it was decided to get the EP finished for his fans who were asking for his recordings at shows.
While Andy performs shows both solo acoustic and with a full rock band, depending on the venue, this EP is essentially an acoustic recording. He sings and plays guitar, keyboards & vibes, with Cassandra adding keyboards,percussion & backing vocals. You see his singer/songwriter side, yet can sense his rock/powerpop roots in his songwriting style, with catchy, melodic rymthms and upbeat lyrics.
See you at the release! Sunday June 11, 2006 / 6:30 - 9:00 PM / Stage Left Cafe 125 W. Van Buren St. Woodstock, IL. 60098
After June 11th you may purchase "Love's Not A Tough Start" online at www.cdbaby.com or at Andy's website www.andyspitson.com or thru stores listed there. - North Productions

Andy Spitson - Love's Not A Tough Start
YPRecord © 2006
www.yprecord.com
www.andyspitson.com
Reviewed by Gary Hill
gary@beetcafe.com
www.musicstreetjournal.com

Rating: 3
out of 5

Andy Spitson's name might be an unfamiliar one for you, but I'm willing to bet you've probably heard of his bands. Between work with Spinderson and M28 (who just won the RAMI award for best contemporary Christian Artist of 2006) the odds are you've seen or heard him play. Now he has released his first solo album, Love's Not a Tough Start. This six track acoustic release is a good beginning of what will probably be a long career for this young musician.

This is one of those releases that definitely makes the name "solo album" deserved. Spitson plays all guitars himself along with adding some keyboards and vibes and the lead vocals. The only other person to appear on this CD is Cassandra Vohs Demann who provides additional keyboards, backing vocals and percussion.

The CD shows that Spitson is capable of producing catchy, folk rock songs that work pretty well. I'd say there are a couple of things he should work on for the next time around, though. For one thing everything seems to sound very similar. When it's only a six song EP like this that's not that terrible, but if he were to do a full album like this it could become an issue. So, I'd recommend learning to vary the material a bit more. Also, some of the mixing feels a bit rough. Perhaps a different studio or more time working on the mix would have produced a better-blended release. It's not a bad thing for most of the disc, but there are points where things don't seem to feel like they fit together. That is more a factor of the production than the songwriting. Having produced some multi-tracked recordings I can tell you that that's a matter of finesse and experience with the mixing board. It takes time and equipment to learn how to do it right. The effect here is not bad, but it does add just a bit of an amateur feel to a couple of the tracks.

Well, now that we've looked at the problems with the disc, lets check in on the strengths. As mentioned earlier Spitson has created a number of catchy tracks that definitely fit into the singer/songwriter folk sort of acoustic genre. They are sure to entertain fans of that style of music. He shows that he has a strong mastery of song craft and guitar work. While there is nothing here that's going to change the world of music as we know it, this definitely succeeds in entertaining. It's a very promising start for the career of this musician. Here's looking forward to more and better releases from him as time goes on - Beetcafe

Sunday June 11th YPRecords is releasing Singer/Songwriter Andy Spitson's
Debut EP; "Love's Not A Tough Start" The event will be held at Stage Left Cafe in Woodstock,IL.
Many of you may be familier with Andy as the frontman for the Rock/Powerpop band "Spinderson", and as a member of the RAMI Award (Rockford Area Music Industry) winning band "M28".
While the EP originally started out as a side project Andy had been sporadicly recording between October '04 thru December '05 at A Place To Shine studio with Cassandra Vohs-Demann and The Fuse studio with Mark Muraski, it was decided to get the EP finished for his fans who were asking for his recordings at shows.
While Andy performs shows both solo acoustic and with a full rock band, depending on the venue, this EP is essentially an acoustic recording. He sings and plays guitar, keyboards & vibes, with Cassandra adding keyboards,percussion & backing vocals. You see his singer/songwriter side, yet can sense his rock/powerpop roots in his songwriting style, with catchy, melodic rymthms and upbeat lyrics.
See you at the release! Sunday June 11, 2006 / 6:30 - 9:00 PM / Stage Left Cafe 125 W. Van Buren St. Woodstock, IL. 60098
After June 11th you may purchase "Love's Not A Tough Start" online at www.cdbaby.com or at Andy's website www.andyspitson.com or thru stores listed there. - North Productions