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Million to One

by Mike + Ruthy

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    Immediate download of MILLION TO ONE in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Six-panel, full-color, digi-pak with album lyrics included.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Million to One via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    All the bells and whistles: 180 gram vinyl available in transparent blue or traditional black. Each record jacket is numbered 1 - 500 embossed in gold. Comes with lyric sheet and additional download card of the entire album. Free sticker with all mail order items.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Million to One via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 500 

      $20 USD or more 

     

1.
End of Time 03:03
End of Time Signal fire out on the plain Then suddenly clouds and a pouring rain Box car rolls train cars creak Banks over flow on the Cripple Creek One minute I’m fine One minute I’m free Then another I’m blind and crippled in need Oh my my well yeah yeah I can’t look I can only stare Well yeah yeah, oh my my Lover come look me in the eye One minute I’m fine One minute I’m free Then another I’m blind and crippled in need One minute I’m born One minute I die In the middle I’m yours ‘til the end of time Elephant tears on the ocean floor Mother of pearl and the third world war Toll bells ring phone calls made Some little kid sings at the veterans parade One minute I’m fine One minute I’m free Then another I’m blind and crippled in need One minute I’m born One minute I die In the middle I’m yours ‘til the end of time
2.
Covered 02:46
Covered This world’s got me covered This world’s got me covered This world’s got me covered up in sin This world’s got me covered Covered up in sin I try so hard to tell you baby Can’t you see what kind of shape I’m in This world’s got me worried This world’s got me worried This world’s got me worried all the time This world’s got me worried Worried all the time I try so hard to tell you baby Somehow I can’t keep myself from cryin' This world’s got me thinkin' This world’s got me thinkin' This world’s got me thinkin' Thinking I’m no good This world’s got me thinkin' Thinking I’m no good I try so hard to tell you baby Somehow I’m always misunderstood This world’s got me covered This world’s got me covered This world’s got me covered up in sin This world’s got me covered Covered up in sin I try so hard to tell you baby Can’t you see what kind of shape I’m in
3.
Rise 02:51
Rise In the month of June When the stars are out I will look at you And know what you’re about We will rise above our hate We will rise above our doom We will rise it’s not too late I will rise right up for you In the month of May When the flowers bloom Darlin’ if I may Tell you I love you We will rise above our hate We will rise above our doom We will rise it’s not too late I will rise right up for you Darlin’ it is hard as we travel through this life To keep our heads above the waves crashin' day and night Darlin’ it is hard as we travel through this life To keep our heads above the waves crashin' day and night Crashin' day and night In the Summertime When the lilies bloom I will look at you We’ll know what to do We will rise above our hate We will rise above our doom we will rise it’s not too late I will rise right up for you
4.
Be the Boss 03:06
Be the Boss What’s it gonna take to be the boss What’s it gonna take to be the boss I been out here all day little girl And don’t you know my legs are crossed What’s it gonna take to break the curse What’s it gonna take to break the curse I been dragged out in the mud I been trampled by the slugs in this here universe What’s it gonna take to make amends What’s it gonna take to make amends I wanna be yr lover little girl I also wanna be yr friend What’s it gonna take to make ya happy What’s it gonna take to make ya happy We already took a nap I already took the garbage out And I met yr pappy Somehow or another we’re gonna win Somehow or another we’re gonna win What’s it gonna take to get it right What’s it gonna take to get it right I’m sleeping with my eyes open mamma And don’t you know I’m up all night What’s it gonna take to drive it straight What’s it gonna take to drive it straight I took ya out to lunch I took ya out to the circus And I stayed out way to late Somehow or another we’re gonna win Somehow or another we’re gonna win
5.
As My Eyes Run Wild I was young I was young and debutante I thought I’d get I thought I’d get whatever I want I strayed so far away Do-si-do Do-si-do and swing that girl ‘Round you go In this great round crazy world We stray so far away Now I’ll stay close to you my friend this time As my eyes run As my eyes run wild It was cold It was cold out in the wind Now I’m home It was you who took me in I strayed to far away It was strange To be estranged from all my friends Now I’ve changed And today I’m back again I strayed so far away Now I’ll stay close to you my friend this time As my eyes run As my eyes run wild Now I’m old I am old and I am weak But my eyes Are as young as cripple creek I strayed so far away Now I’ll stay close to you my friend this time As my eyes run As my eyes run wild
6.
Million to One All my worries all my worries gone (my heart aches, my mind aches) All my worries all my worries gone (right time the wrong place) Hold on hold on hold on I feel alright I feel alright When it’s a million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em sitting, they might separate) A million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em standing, don't leave it up to fate) All my worries all my worries gone (I’m climbing I’m climbing) All my worries all my worries gone (once more to the top floor) Hold on Hold on Hold on I feel alright I feel alright When it’s a million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em sitting, they might separate) A million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em standing, don't leave it up to fate) When it’s a million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em sliding, into plate) A million to one a million to one a million to one (Don’t leave ‘em hanging)
7.
All the Way Down I been hidin’ With a straight-lace face I’m decidin’ To join the human race You bring me round Even when I’m all the way down I been draggin’ My knuckles on the ground I been braggin’ About the size of my frown You bring me round Even when I’m all the way down You got black coffee Runnin’ through your veins Never wash you off me Even when it rains You bring me round Even when I’m all the way down All the way down
8.
Goodbye 05:16
Goodbye We We got all Out of sorts Out of line But I Don’t wanna tell you Goodbye Love Love it blinds When it shines In your eyes And I Don’t wanna tell you Goodbye Why Oh why Must we cut each other down I’m still gonna try Cause the only way is up When your heart has hit the ground We We got it all Out of sorts Out of line But I Don’t wanna tell you Goodbye Why Oh why Must we cut each other down I’m still gonna try Cause the only way is up When your heart has hit the ground We We got it all Out of sorts Out of line But I Don’t wanna tell you Goodbye
9.
Who's Who 04:30
Who’s Who Read a book about politics To try t’ get a clue Got a greeting card from my grandma It just ‘God bless you’ Read a Rolling Stone’s jacket Listenin’ made me feel free I read the message in your eyes It was written in calligraphy Everything I read Eventually comes true All the pieces are in place But nobody knows who’s who Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Read an atlas of the world To check my IQ But I got so distracted out in Spain Cause I was thinkin' about you So I read your love letter I hung on every word Your commas looked like llamas And your paragraphs were baby birds Your stationary was pink The ink you used was blue But the name at the bottom wasn’t yours Now I’m tryin to figure out who’s who Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? I read an encyclopedia To see if it was true that Marilyn Monroe had on her back A naked lady tattoo I read a book about gorillas I stole it from the zoo When the zoo keeper smiled at me She didn’t even have a clue So I read the users manual Your father gave me for you But it was for your sister so I kissed her And it didn’t even matter who’s who Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who? Who’s who?
10.
On the Road 03:21
On the Road Seein’ friends on every coast Thrift store in a town of ghosts Don’t when I’ll see my home Wonder how long I’ve been gone O don’t you wanna go On the road Up one highway down the next Finding banks that’ll cash our checks Smilin’ in the rear view mirror As another good town disappears O don’t you wanna go On the road Music store in Tennessee Baby are you the one for me Sounds so good do you think I can Fit this guitar in the van Don’t say no I wanna play it in the show O don’t you wanna go On the road Summer’s over lets get some sleep Count our blessings count some sheep When the leaves begin to fall I’ll be ready just give me a call O don’t you wanna go On the road
11.
That’s What I Call Love Love traces it’s steps back to you Love’s made me a wreck but not this love I watch you watching the stars up above They twinkle out your name in lights That’s what I call love Love waits for you in the hall Love comes in the mail or a telephone call I watch you watching the stars up above They twinkle out your name in lights That’s what I call love Love is only worth it’s weight in the color of the leaves Does this mean that I’ve fallen for you and you’ve fallen for me? Love casts it’s eyes onto you Love love is wise love is beautiful and true I watch you watching the stars up above They twinkle out your name in lights That’s what I call love That’s what I call love That’s what I call love
12.
Summer Sun 02:39
Summer Sun Climbed the mountain high Rode the rolling sea Only had to look inside To find serenity Crossed the desert sands Lived the city streets Only had to look inside To find serenity Live your life alive Never lie and find the time To find your summer sun Your summer sun Live your life alive Never lie and try to find Your summer sun Your summer sun

about

MIKE + RUTHY (FORMERLY OF THE MAMMALS)
INVITE FANS TO HELP MAKE A FOLK-ROCK MASTERPIECE

MILLION TO ONE TO BE RELEASED ON JULY 27th, 2010

Mike + Ruthy, the folk-rock duo formerly of The Mammals, announce the release of Million to One on July 27th, 2010. The album is the latest in a growing discography that continues to push the boundaries of the genre. The story behind the making of Million To One is as compelling as the album’s songs themselves. Where most bands limit fan involvement to the occasional live show “stomp, clap and sing-along” and post-show merch table pleasantries, Mike + Ruthy took things a two-step further. They issued a massive fan-list call-out inviting the full breadth of their fanbase to help make what’s being called their “folk-rock masterpiece.”

“It’s challenging enough to make it in this profession as independent artists,” says Ruthy. “To launch our biggest release to-date during a recession? That seemed like the greatest test.” To overcome the odds (which were, oh, around a million to one) Mike + Ruthy turned to the fundraising website Kickstarter.com. Using their two-year old son Will as the lead role, the couple created a short video appealing to their fans to help support the album. The result? “We set a fundraising goal of $5000,” says Mike. “It was met and exceeded within a week.”

The outpouring of fan support only strengthened the duo’s resolve and fueled a full-scale indie release of Million to One on their own label, Humble Abode Music. “It’s a bit materialistic that it came down to money, but the show of support completely filled our hearts and made us even more driven to totally kick ass,” adds Mike.

Their supporting fans will not be disappointed. Million to One is easily the couple’s best album to date and threatens to break all the rules of the rock-folk-Americana genre. The album’s main attraction--whether weaving through the folky, banjo-flavored “As My Eyes Run Wild,” the bar-room blues stomper “Covered” or the pedal-steel-laced “End of Time”--is the gorgeous, white-knuckle-tight harmony singing of Mike + Ruthy, who have clearly been spending the last ten years honing their vocal blend. With its soft, breathy delivery, Mike’s voice (not to mention songwriting) has been compared to Paul Simon, and indeed the vocal duets on this album will call to the listener’s mind that particular quintessential duo. But what that 60’s duo lacked, this one has in spades. And that’s love, of course.

One senses—and at times gets overcome by—the love that fills this album’s cup to the brim. It’s a love for each other, for their music, and—now more than ever—the fans who support them.

About Mike + Ruthy

Mike + Ruthy met in NYC, just out of college. Daughter to Hudson Valley fiddling legend Jay Ungar and folk-singer Lyn Hardy, Ruthy’s was a past steeped in the folk tradition. Mike had his musical roots planted in the ska-punk and rock scene blasting from the college radio station in his hometown of Durham, NH. The two fell in love and went on to form the folk-rock behemoth The Mammals, which toured the world many times over. Now married and settled just outside Woodstock, NY, they tour with a full band or as a duo and sometimes share the stage with their fiddling two-year-old son, Will. Previous albums by Mike + Ruthy include the critically acclaimed debut The Honeymoon Agenda and its follow-up, Waltz of the Chickadee.


For more information, review copies and interview requests, please contact
Emily Lichter at public emily; 646.246.8018 or emily@publicemily.com

www.mikeandruthy.com

Ruthy Ungar - vocals, guitars, fiddle
Mike Merenda - vocals, guitars, banjo, samples
José Ayerve - vocals, bass
Craig Santiago - drums
Charlie Rose - pedal steel, lap steel
Ken Maiuri - piano, organ
Tao Rodriguez-Seeger - banjo (tk 1)
Jerfferson Hamer - additional electric guitar (tk 2, 8)
Jay Ungar - fiddle (tk 9)

credits

released July 27, 2010

Produced by Mike + Ruthy.

Recorded + mixed by Frank Moscowitz at Dreamland Recording Studio except "Covered," "On the Road" + "That's What I Call Love" mixed by Max Feldman at Allaire Studios.

Additonal recording by Mike Merenda + José Ayerve at Humble Abode Music, Studio B.

Mastered by Chris Athens at Sterling Sound

Photography by Cassandra Jenkins

Design by Ruthy

All songs written by Merenda/Ungar, ©2010 Concert Works Music, ASCAP except "On the Road" by Merenda/Ungar/Ayerve/Santiago, ©2010 Concert Works Music, ASCAP + Swinging Door Music, BMI.

Special Thanks to Pete Caigan, Jerry Marotta, Randall Wallace, Colby Reynolds, Jeremy Bernstein, Paul Shiavo + Mercury Rev for your generosity. Thank you to our wonderfully supportive family and friends especially Vern, Sarina, Amanda, Ben, Aoife, and to Rob Rock, Kevin Hale, The Princess + the Frog and all of our Kickstarter angels. We dedicate this record to Willy with love.

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Mike + Ruthy Woodstock, New York

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"Easily a new favorite" - Daytrotter
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