Going to the Mountain

Winner of Americana Highways Readers Poll for Favorite Album March 2025

"... sophisticatedly charged... a bit of desert rock. A hot, dry, potent and ominous prickle of danger. His voice perfectly suits the genre since it waves and changes shape like a dune... There’s a delicacy to Rudd’s composition and he exudes this with finesse." Americana Highways

"Amongst breathtaking landscapes, Michael Rudd sings of a weary search for something he’ll never find... reflective words... Languorous instrumental layers are the perfect base for Rudd’s smoothly tuneful vocal performance." Americana UK

"Across its ten tracks, Rudd draws from his life experience to craft wizened Americana, folk, and roots rock. There are moments of lively rocking and more quiet and poignant slices of life, showcasing Rudd’s versatility as a songwriter." Glide Magazine 

"Full of insightful songwriting, beautiful instrumentation, and wise-and-wonderful vocals, the 10 songs on the album are gritty, rootsy, bluesy, twangy, dusty-shuffle perfection." Vents Magazine

"Michael Rudd creates emotional landscapes in his songs... a gem, full of grit and longing, insight and inquiry into the things that make us human, providing a glimpse into stories that anyone can relate to. The music that he uses to further tell the stories is rich and full." Amplify Music Magazine

"These songs have a beautiful literary edge and attention to characters and stories deliberately on the margins..." Roots Highway

"Michael Rudd guides the songs, connecting the diverse sonics of each cut with a deep vocal that demands attention with its confidence.
Sonically, the sound of Going to the Mountain is a reflection of the Southwest desert that Michael Rudd calls home. The melodies are mysterious, the playing subtle as it drifts across the open space of the sparse background of guitar, bass, and drums along with the gentle touches of keyboards and other instrumentation." The Alternate Root

"It’s big and open like his gravelly voice... honest..." Off-Center Views

Long Way from Paradise

“...extremely infectious, soft as a Southwest breeze with a sonic expanse as wide as a desert.”  The Alternate Root

“...a triumph of rediscovery and musical expression.” The songs on the album “...born from a place of introspection and self-discovery, reflecting Rudd’s journey back to his musical roots.” The Concert Chronicles

 “....a collection of haunting original songs that address hidden contents of the human experience [and] chronicles the interior life of people somewhat adrift - their shame, regret, loneliness, and the potentially redemptive power of love.”  Albuquerque the Magazine

Articles by Michael

10 Great Album Covers from Albums that Inspired a Singer’s Career Muse by Clios

Singled Out: Michael Rudd’s Going Away Anti-Music

A Dirty Dozen with Michael Rudd 100 Percent Rock