“‘Comeback Wrecker’ is officially the oldest song I have ever recorded and released,” Van Deusen says. “I wrote the chorus when I was 14. The song is about desire, shame, and cathartic anger. Musically, I wanted it to sound like a mixture of Sonic Youth, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Face to Face. It’s just a lot of fun to play.”
… And a lot of fun to listen to, as well!
Anthem Sprinter explores shame, isolation, and angst with Van Deusen’s typical earnestness and fervor. It serves as his sixth solo LP and his second for Tooth & Nail Records, Anthem Sprinter is a “time capsule” record of once-abandoned songs, and it serves as a sort of prequel to Van Deusen’s four-part conceptual album series, (I Am) Origami.
Recorded at Ranch Land Studios with producer Andy D. Park, Anthem Sprinter is a magnetic take on a heavy, “Y2K radio rock” sound. It’s covered in nimble riffs and filled with capital-B “Big” drums, further supported by snappy hooks and Van Deusen’s emotive yet deftly controlled vocal performances. Anthem Sprinter holds the chaos and beauty of youth in two open hands, not forsaking one for the other, and it challenges the listener to do the same.
John Van Deusen lives in Anacortes, Washington with his wife and two children. He also plays in the pop group, Telephone Friends.
ANTHEM SPRINTER TRACK LISTING:
“How Now, Spirit”
“Comeback Wrecker”
“Before You Fade Away”
“DD”
“Lust Tripper”
“If Only”
“Why Do You Love Me”
“My Regret Is A Pit”
“Meat”
“Trebuchet”
