|
Matthew Good is a band that firmly established themselves back
in 1995 with the release of their
debut album, "Last of the Ghetto
Astronauts". The album was not one to have sold ten million
copies, but it did express the band both vocally and
instrumentally. Each song on the album cast a refreshing spin
on the rock/alternative genre. Who
would have thought that after the debut
Good would go on to release 5 more albums, including
the brand new album,
"Avalanche". To answer that question, Matthew Good and company
did, as well as thousands of other die hard fans, most of
which were loyal Canadians. LotGA, at the time, was the best
selling Canadian indie release in history, and was re-released
in 1997 by Darktown/A&M records. While their career path
hasn't been paved in gold, it sure has not been a bumpy ride.
In fact, they have found a great amount of success along the
way, thanks for their sometimes blatant expression. Matthew
Good is known for taking an issue and running with it, knife
in hand.
In any event, Matthew Good is back at it once again, this
time portraying extreme maturity and a confidence only found
in a small percentage of artists. One thing is certain,
MG has
evolved his style from album to album, but has found a
stability in the music. A stability that allows
him to
release successful album after album. MG is highly regarded in
both the US and Canada, his home country.
The newest feat, "Avalanche", is also a relatively solid
album, but once again I would be hesitant to feel a sales
figure that will set any records, other than personal. But
with that said, I will also add that the best albums do not
always merit the highest sales. Matthew Good does not
receive the promotional spotlight that other
artists get lit up
in, therefore, the chances of being heard my the masses is
significantly lower. To think that MG
and Dave Matthews are on a level playing field is nothing
short of absurd. In contrast, I am not at liberty to make such
assumptions on what goes on in Canada, for all I know NOTHING
happens in Canada. What I do know is that the Canadians love
MG, as they should. The sales figures may topple 10 million
there, I wouldn't know.
This album has a solid track list, but spotting the ever so
glossy surface is the occasional dent. Each track is highly
listenable, but on occasion I found myself slightly
entertained, if at all. I approached this album with caution,
simply because of what genres have been spilling out of my CD
player as of late, but to my surprise I found myself relieved.
In fact, after a dozen or so listen-throughs
I have dusted off some albums that have been sitting on my
shelf unnoticed for quite awhile. Like I mentioned above, MG
provides a refreshing vibe that is worth listening to over and
over again.
MG has established himself as a dark
gloomy rock artist that expresses
himself amazingly well through the lyrical
vehicle. The messages are carried across painting picture
after picture, all the while leaving your mind trying to
invade the mindset of the Canadian bred
being. In an attempt to provide you with a better
review sense, I have recently pulled out the previous
Good album, "Beautiful Midnight". The
album was released in 1999 and shows some of the roots that
had been exposed from the very beginning.
"Beautiful Midnight" was wonderfully produced and contains an
overall sound riddled with hooks and other gimmicks to catch
the attention of any listener. "Avalanche" is very similar in
the fact that MG places minor subtleties within the music;
subtleties that make you sit back and think, "Dang,
that was original". Not only will you hear the antics prevail, but you will
welcome yourself to the voluptuous poetry that bellows from the
mouth of front man, Matthew Good.
Both the instrumentation and lyrical style find their way in
the dark. The songs remain focused, on track, and concrete.
Each song does not jump out at you, but throughout each song
can be found a lyrical line (or more) that allows a direct
relationship between you and the band. Without dwelling on the
society in which he inhabit today, MG seems to continuously
make reference to our dwindling culture and overall attitude.
His last project features some upbeat tunes, but "Avalanche"
doesn't feature any upbeat rock-out jams. Instead you sit
alone, empty, and searching for answers to problems that are
in a sense unsolvable. This album provides one unique
experience.
Here is a quick breakdown of what you can look forward to:
'Pledge Of Allegiance' features MG building up an atmosphere
filled with slow moving instrumentation and the occasion choir
humming and bell ringing, all of which are melodic and vital
in setting up the atmosphere. The entire package is a very
dark tune wrapped up in a rather realistic lyrical paper. By
the end, I found myself thinking that it became a little too
repetitious, but never did the track become bothersome. While
it remains at a turtles pace, the track is fulfilling from the
outside. Inside the track is somewhat
lacking, but none of that is eagerly apparent.
'Lullaby For The New World Order' is not necessarily
fast-paced, but to some
it may be full enough to cause it to
burst at its seams. I found the song both inspiring and
motivational, a real gem. Of course the song is not entirely
busy, it does stay on track, eventually completing the
scenario it had been modelling from the beginning. This was
one of my favourites on the album.
'Weapon' remains on the course of slow rolling songs, but as
for any album you can see productive
evolution. Nearly two minutes in, the gears begin to grind a
little quicker and suddenly Good finds himself a spider in the
middle of a perfectly spun web. Although the lyrical style
essentially remains unchanged, the instrumentation is revived
and glows throughout the songs entirety. The strings are
introduced bringing the song to loaded capacity. The message
is not overly complex, but is one that deserves the
reinforcing that is actually implemented.
'In A World Called Catastrophe' is a consecutive six minute
"ballad", but that is one of the only similarities between the
two. Another similarity is the graceful strings that accompany
the band, adding closure to an otherwise left-out-in-the-cold
track. The track features Good wailing his expressive message
in the confines of superb instrumentation. I absolutely love
when all of the instrumentation quiets to a simmer, leaving
Goods voice pouring out in an almost acapella fashion.
'Avalanche', the albums title track, follows suit adding
nearly seven and a half minutes to the albums final time
tally. You are greeted by some distorted Good lyrics mellowing
over a sweet sounding guitar rift and string accompaniment.
Soon after the initial repetitive "chanting" background vocals
enter, building up the listeners suspense. When it seems your
appreciative bubble is about to explode,
the heart of the track cuts in to save the day. The track is
loaded with gimmicks that not only familiarize you with the
track, but end up adding depth, thus, solidifying
the track. When at times you feel as though the track is
missing something, MG answers with outside lyrical clippings
or some other audio quirks that will leave you wanting more;
needing more.
'21st Century Living' makes a mockery of the capitalistic
society in which the United States is drowning in,
maybe Canada too (Again I don't know). On top of that,
Good attempts at suggesting his own theories on how we may
better the confusion and corruption that overwhelms people
across the globe. I treat this track as more of an anthem. The
melody in the track is exhilarating, and the message does that
melody justice. This is my hands-down
favourite track on the album hands down. As a avid
believer that we need to resolve many problems across the
world, this track makes me aware that I am not alone. Simply
brilliant, while basic at the same moment.
'While We Were Hunting Rabbits' is a great follow-up to the
previous, quick-paced tune. While
the song in nothing from the ordinary, it focuses a bright
light on a captivating drum sequence that will lead you to the
end, in good spirits. The track reminds me of an older Tonic
song, however, many of you may not be able to relate to that
group. Whether you see that
resemblance or not, this track is one that I have set aside in
the pile of favourites.
'Bright End Of Nowhere' crosses the finish line in nearly half
the time of track 07, approximately four minutes early. The
track bares the outline of an REM style, only with the
viscosity of a rapid flowing substance. The lyrics in their
true form are manageable and open to interpretation, however,
they welcome the relationship to your own personal
experiences. For the first time, the piano is out and playing
a vital role. The role of providing to you a monotonous rhythm
that not only hooks you, but dances to your fingertips causing
them to inch closer to the repeat button.
'Near Fantastica' showcases some mesmerizing guitar work atop
a wall of dynamic sound effects and the continuous piano rift
that can easily go unheard. The vocals seem a bit more
aggressive, although their tone remains among typical levels.
As for most of the album, you can hear that MG has built each
track in layers, yet the levels within each song seem
dramatically different. My impression is that each track has
been produce with precision. The end product is a clear
concise set of tracks, which is exactly what "Avalanche" is.
This track not only expresses the bands pleasure for making
music, but it displays everything that Good has come to stand
for, quality.
'Song For The Girl' opens with a gentle guitar rift proceeding
the start of a glorious song. The hook in this song may be as
good as it gets, plus all of the other intricate additions
only add to the overall perception. While I am not trying to
put words into the bands mouth, the title of the track seems
to explain the message perfectly. I was happy to see the
gloomy fog raise out from the albums scope, if only for this
short three minute song.
'Double Life' unfolds and instantly picks you up, places you
on its back, and begins carrying you to the destination. I
fell in love with the sound of this track even though sound
is extremely basic at times. MG has the wonderful
ability of mixing a variety of simple sounds and rifts into
one complex track. Not only do you find the song enjoyable,
but after a few listens you begin to pick apart the layers,
causing you to see the song on my levels.
'A Long Way Down' begins your journey on a mildly quick pace,
exposing the bands willingness to include a plethora of
different sounds, styles, and tempos. From a distance this
song sounds a bit more abrasive than the previous songs,
adding louder instrumentation. In conjunction, the sound seems
to rely on the heavier aspect of the band, but keep in mind
that this is far from what some people would call heavy. Think
of it as heavy in relative terms, because during a few key
moments the band is back to the gentleness than began the
album. This track is quite the roller coaster ride, but one
that seems to fit in nicely with the rest of the album. I
marvel at the production.
'House Of Smoke And Mirrors' found its way on the album as the
ending-track. The initial guitar rift seems reminiscent of
some classic Led Zeppelin, but aside from that rift, nothing
reminds me of Zeppelin at all. In fact, the band is back to
its gloomy state; a state that creeps on till the end. This is
quite possibly the slowest roller of them all; a track that
left me uninterested. I have listened to it a few times, but I
have a hard time leaving it play to its conclusion. The track
is not poor, but rather dull. In defence to the band, they do
nothing different in the track, I am just not fond of the
overall sound.
--
So, do I recommend purchasing this album? Yes! It will be
hard for any band to top the track list that you will find on
"Avalanche", especially if you are match it up against a
comparable artist. I do not think that everyone will dig their
sound and those who do will probably not have the urge to play
it all day everyday. This isn't party music, nor are any songs
going to be heard at your local club, but as far as quality
music, it doesn't get much better than this. I would hand this
a perfect rating, but two songs keep it from receiving the
infamous perfect score. Once the dust clears, my final rating
is: 4.5 Planets.
Track Listing:
01 Pledge Of Allegiance
02 Lullaby For The New World Order
03 Weapon
04 In A World Called Catastrophe
05 Avalanche
06 21st Century Living
07 While We Were Hunting Rabbits
08 Bright End Of Nowhere
09 Near Fantastica
10 Song For The Girl
11 Double Life
12 A Long Way Down
13 House Of Smoke And Mirrors
Ramz Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Planets
Talk about Matthew Good Band - Avalanche >>
|
Game News
