|
Summer. 1994. The unreal light of dusk plays on the suburban strip-mall
parking lot decorated with minivans. Cut to interior shot of nondescript
record shop where a primped soccer mom purchases a cassette tape
for her overly-excited pubescent hoberdehoy. Overcome with the curiosity
as to the socially inept young man's selection, his ecstatic joy
is hope's contagion. Peering on, the pimply-faced teen jumps out
of his newly outdated jeans, shakes his scrawny fists and cheers,
"I got the new Phil Collins!" My jaw and hope for
the future of our children drop to the floor.
Present day:
The 30 year old singer/songwriter known only as matthew
honors the man behind Disney's Tarzan not only in the liner
notes and cover song, but actually mentions him in lyric. How is
it then, that an artist so blessed with humor, boyish good looks
and innate composition skills hands props to Genesis' second
son? (I guess that would be Abel.) Who gives a fuck? It's an enigma
that only adds to matthew's cool dork endearing image and puts a
few points in Collins' column as well.
matthew's adherence to reflective Nick Drake/Leonard
Cohen folk spiced by humor big enough to lift you out of the
hole. Straight numbers like the lovely "Bring Me Safely Down"
and "Symbiotic Angel" are sensitive and thoughtful bits
of work. Gorgeous even. But the deadpan rap of "Office Suite,
Part 1" is a master-fucking-piece. Like a MC 900 Foot Mike
Judge, matthew quoth, "No coffee in the breakroom/where'd
my network login go/if you touch my fucking Dilbert doll I'll break
your fucking nose." Instruments on this one are guitar, 1985
Ford Econoline, table and wedding ring. Worth the price of admission
right there, folks. But stay for the electro-delta-gospel-country
found on "Union Station."
Trust me that you and everyone you know will love this one.
Every emotion is explored honestly and refreshingly along with
many well-executed styles of music. And the wordsmithery is
brilliant, unlike mine. If Phil Collins can inspire this sort
of artist, perhaps there is hope for pasty 13 year olds with
questionable taste.
-Ewan Wadharmi
Track List:
1. Theme from Texas
2. Bring Me Safely Down
3. Old Enough
4. Office Suite, Pt. 1
5. Symbiotic Angel
6. The Roof Is Leaking
7. Office Suite, Pt. 2
8. The Loneliest Boy in Toyland
9. Moutaintop 4th of July
10. Reprise
11. Union Station
 Talk
Back
e-mail the chief
Like this article?
e-mail
it to a friend!
|
The
Matthew Show
