posted 09/28/2005 (Wed) @ 08:52 pm
>>> Music Reviews
Matt Costa - Songs We Sing (2005)
Melodies with simple harmonies…
- Yellow Taxi
- Astair
- Oh Dear
- Cold December
- Desire’s Only Fling
- Sweet Rose
- Songs We Sing
- Sunshine
- Whiskey & Wine
- Shimmering Fields
- Behind The Moon
- Wash Away
Break out a big black kettle. Now heat it up and toss Van Morrison, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Beatles headlong into the pot. You’ll come pretty close to Matt Costa.
The majority of converts you talk to will cite Jack Johnson as the gateway drug to Costa, but “Songs We Sing” possesses an aura that brings to mind the very best of ’60s folk rock as well as simple California boredom-inspired acoustic fiddling.
As the record’s title track wistfully observes, these are “melodies with simple harmonies.” But, however simple, Costa’s guitar work is right on, and a well-written piano part or trumpet solo adds atmosphere and spice to already great songs like “Shimmering Fields” and “Whiskey and Wine.”
The best moments are difficult to choose, as “Songs We Sing” is quite literally an incredibly solid album from start to finish, but for my money, the bang-and-strum balladry of “Sunshine” and acoustic-electric barn dance “Behind the Moon” deserve the spotlight. Costa’s debut full length closes with “Wash Away,” the only downer on the entire record, with a tone that recalls Simon and Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair” mixed with shards of “Pink Moon”-era Nick Drake.
Destined to be classic. The next sound you hear will be that of your wallet opening.
And if you like this, Elliott Smith and Rocky Votolato should be on your list, too.
Tags: beatles, folk, happy, pop, simple
1 comment on this article
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Three Star Smash » Blog Archive » Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (2007) Says:
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm[...] Paul Simon, Matt Costa, The Shins, heavy Australian [...]
