Album Review: Derrick Anderson's 'A World Of My Own'

2017
13 songs
Length: 51:16
Available to buy on CD or digital download

Derrick Anderson has been around. Previously a member of 1990’s power pop band The Andersons!, Los- Angeles based Anderson is the current bassist for The Bangles and has toured and recorded with The Kinks’ Dave Davies, The Smithereens and Matthew Sweet, among others.

It’s no surprise then that Anderson’s debut album, ‘A World of My Own’ is a power pop dream. Crunchy, guitar-driven songs with strong melodies, catchy hooks and happy harmonies. Anderson has a smooth voice too. The complete package puts this album up there with anything by Teenage Fanclub, Matthew Sweet or The Smithereens.

The album starts strong with the opening track ‘Send Me Down a Sign.’ Energetic with an infectious hook, it could easily be a Teenage Fanclub song. ‘Phyllis & Sharon’ has the same kind of energy with powerful guitar riffs, and I’d challenge anybody to keep their foot still through the entirety of either song.

‘Happiness’ instantly made me think of Matthew Sweet, who it turns out plays guitar on the track. Sweet is not the only guest star on the album either, with The Smithereens featuring on the sweet sounding, dreamy ‘Waiting For You’ and also ‘Send Me Down a Sign’. Debbi and Vicki Peterson from The Bangles, and The Muffs’ Kim Shattuck backup Anderson on ‘When I Was Your Man’ with indie pop style jangly guitars, hand claps and backing vocals. The Bangles frontwoman, Susanna Hoffs joins the Peterson sisters for backup vocals on the lilting lullabies ‘Something New’ and ‘Spring.’

Anderson’s debut, although unashamedly power pop, is not limited to one sound. ‘You Don’t Have to Hurt No More’ is tinged with funk and ‘A Mother’s Love’ sounds like 1960’s bubblegum pop. Anderson really rocks out too; with pounding drums and driving guitars on ‘Checking Out’ and the stand out classic rock and roll track ‘Stop Messin’ About’, which is reminiscent of Little Richard. To top it all off, Anderson closes the album with a mind blowing, psychedelic blues rock version of the Beatles’ ‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)’.

‘A World of My Own’ showcases Anderson’s many talents as a songwriter and musician, not least of all his knack for blues, psychedelic and classic rock and roll. It’s also a quintessential power pop album. If power pop is your thing (and it’s definitely mine), you need ‘A World of My Own’ in your life.