Review in surfrockmusic.com

As posted on surfrockmusic.com

as far as yesterday goes
Reviewed by: Emma Jade Gunn

The RED BUTTON is Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg. Seth has never disappointed me. With Mike, his partner in harmony, the duo let loose with yet another phenomenal journey down memory lane. A sonic gem, as far as yesterday goes delivers a dozen tracks reminiscent of sun-filled days in meadows and rain-drenched city streets.

Can you remember when songs got stuck in your head and you couldn’t help but hum them long after the music itself swirled into the mist? In a nutshell, the RED BUTTON evokes that reaction.

If you loved the sixties, wore a ribbon in your hair, had a wood guitar with scratches on the neck, ate grass as you sat in the park and loved deeper than you ever believed you could love — as far as yesterday goes is your ticket to those bygone days.
The opening track, CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE, reminds me of the early Beatles. Lively, bouncy and filled with sixties British Invasion gold. I did a double take when I first listened to this song. The same can be said for GIRL, DON’T. The resemblance to the early Beatles is absolutely uncanny.

The title track, As Far As Yesterday Goes, is about a man expressing sorrow and regret over a broken relationship. It’s a sad song, but the beauty and power of the vocals and instruments make it one of the very best tracks I’ve heard in many moons.

SHE GROWS WHERE SHE’S PLANTED gets me all marshmallowy inside. Soft (mmm…..) voice, gentle … oh … so … gentle. Sixties pop hadn’t created a wave like that until the RED BUTTON hit me with this ripple of yum. Ta Da! Emmy has an anthem for 2011! Sigh. I have been pegged by two guys I’ve never met. How cool is that?

I know I usually wax pseudo-philosophically on every track when I write about a CD. I could tell you that Sandreen is perfect for dancing in front of a bonfire on the beach. I’d let you know that You Do Something To Me makes me smile. I think Seth and Mike might have penned this one as they were diddy boppin’ down the sidewalk on a warm summer day. Mungo Jerry comes to mind.

Actually, I can’t wax anything right now. This lady has much too much to do and I’m not about to dig into my brainpan. What, you may ask, do I have to do that’s so incredibly important? Here’s your answer: Listen to as far as yesterday goes again. I want to relive so many fond memories evoked by Seth and Mike that I’m content to be lounging on the grass.

Tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow I will rejoin the hectic world of music journalism. But not today. Today I am going to grow where I’m planted. I’m going to look at the motor home I call home and revel in the knowledge that I did, indeed, take the path less taken. I will pet a puppy, relive my first kiss, feel again the electricity when in the arms of my one true love, and listen to two men with soft and heartfelt voices who can lead me back to my 1960’s dream world.

the RED BUTTON IS SETH SWIRSKY AND MIKE RUEKBERG

All playing and singing by The Red Button, with

John Fields – bass on “Picture” and “She Grows Where She’s Planted”
Peter Straus – bass on “As Far As Yesterday Goes”
Mike Datz – slide guitar on “Easier”
Peter Anderson – drums on “Picture”, “Easier”, and “She Grows Where She’s Planted”
Stevie Blacke – strings on “Easier”, “Running Away”, and “Genevieve”
Probyn Gregory – horns on “On A Summer Day”

PRODUCED BY MIKE RUEKBERG

All songs by Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg
November Nights Music, Inc.(ASCAP)/Acrimony-n-Cheese Music (ASCAP)
Except “Genevieve”, “Sandreen”, and “You Do Something To Me” by Seth Swirsky
November Nights Music, Inc.(ASCAP)

Mastering by Dave Collins
Cover photograph by Ronald Traeger/Trunk Archive
Tray photograph by Mike Pope