The Red Button is made up of Los Angeles-based singer-songwriters Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg. Ruekberg’s indie credentials are rock solid as writer and singer for beloved Minneapolis-based pop-rockers Rex Daisy and wrote the soundtrack for an underachieving but beloved indie film (Dummy, starring Adrien Brody). Swirsky’s legitimate music credentials are impressive : He’s written hit songs for dozens of artists, ranging from Al Green to Tina Turner to Taylor Dayne. (He’s also written three hugely successful books about baseball!) The two met in 2004, when Seth was recording his first solo album, Instant Pleasure (which went on to win Best Pop Album at the 2005 Los Angeles Music Awards). They shared one passion above all : A love of concise, melodic pop songs. She’s About to Cross My Mind is the result of that meeting : eleven pop songs created, says Goldmine Magazine, the way God and Paul McCartney must have intended. Amplifier Magazine and International Pop Overthrow Music Festival founder David Bash says Swirsky and Ruekberg can now wear their rightful crown as the Peter Holsapple/Chris Stamey of the New Millennium .

5 Responses to “She’s About To Cross My Mind”

1. Dann Fox says:

   February 27, 2010 at 12:00 am

   The sounds are sugary ear candy for any Sixties addict (nice cover art, as well), but this is not the work of plucky youngsters with a Beatles bent. These studio hacks have crafted an album that might better be titled “Hey, I just bought a Rickenbacker 12-string; let’s try it out.” The melodies and harmonies that we all love are there, but I’ve heard more heart in a single Oneders b-side (studio musicians all) than the entirety of this disc. There are references aplenty to some wonderful music by the Beatles and XTC, to name but two, but instead of a sly homage, several snippets can be found tone for tone on those artists’ songs. And who is this “she” that plays such a large role in the lyrics throughout? All we know about her is that she is female and elicits a reaction that we also learn nothing about. Pleasant listening, but it’s been done better.

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2. J. Carroll says:

   June 24, 2009 at 12:00 am

   The Red Button is fun. A duo who have decided to revisit the past with some wonderful pop, influenced by bands like The Beatles, The Rascals and even Elvis Costello. (Check out “Hope’s Up” and see if you don’t hear some early period Costello) Listen to the melodies and the harmonies, this band would have been huge in the 60′s. The question is, do they have a place in the 21st century? I sure hope so. This is a delight, and while it occasionally drifts towards the ethereal, the solidly constructed tunes pull the song back to earth. It’s short, sweet and while it could use a bit more lyrical depth to be truly great; it should be a welcome addition to the collection of anyone who loves well-crafted pop

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3. MichaelFla says:

   November 26, 2008 at 12:00 am

   I may be biased as Mr. Swirsky is on my MySpace Community and I also bumped into him during the Summer of 2006′s Beatles’ Fest for Fans in Vegas… But all that aside; this is a MUST HAVE if you love the British Invasion… Trust me… well, read the other reviews… trust us… it will merit multiple spins on your CD player… It’s THAT good!… 5-Star 60′s Pop Heaven!

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4. D. E. Barnes says:

   July 6, 2008 at 12:00 am

   This is an album that ANYONE who likes Early Beatles or the 60′s music in general should purchase right now. The sound of this band is clean and easy on the ears. The songs are up-lifting for the most part, and most are catchy and leaves the listener with a clear mental picture of what the song aims for. So what are you waiting for – buy it!

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5. J. McDonald says:

   March 21, 2008 at 12:00 am

   A perfect pop album! An instant PowerPop classic!

   When I listen to “She’s About to Cross My Mind”, by the Red Button, I slip into a daydream world where the music industry never self-destructed. I imagine the album having the same type of industry changing commercial impact as the Knack’s “Get the Knack” back in ’79. All of a sudden, lovingly crafted, 60′s inspired, harmony and melody driven albums are everywhere! I open my own record store (because the music scene is thriving) and nobody has ever heard of Rap or Britney Spears! click….

   Track eleven ends, and I wake up.

   Unfortunately, The Red Button will probably go down in history alongside such groups as JellyFish and Big Star. Unsung legends of PowerPop. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at, but it’s sad that an album this good doesn’t attain the huge commercial success it deserves! In a perfect world, this would be a number one album. But then, I must remember what track number six tells me…

   “I won’t get my hopes up”.

   But, gosh darn it, I’m gonna get my hopes up anyway!

   BUY THIS CD!

   If you don’t like it, you’re an idiot!

   (How’s that for a subtle sales approach?)

   hehehe

   JM

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