|
| |
|
|
|
Matthew Good Band - The Audio of Being
Matthew Good Band is:
- Matthew Good (vocals, guitar)
- Dave Genn (keyboards, guitar)
- Ian Browne (drummer, percusionist)
- Rich priske (bass)
Matthew Good Band's previous albums were Last of the Ghetto Astronauts, Underdogs, Raygun, Loser Anthems and Beautiful Midnight. Beautiful Midnight was by far the most succesful out of these with songs like "Strange Days" and "The Future is X-Rated".
This album is generally regarded as the band's best, even though it was recorded when the band was becoming dysfunctional. The Audio of Being sounds pretty extravagant, with the use of the keyboards to provide string sections and other elements to nearly all of the songs. The album doesn't have a very straightforward flow (like how many albums start off with the rocking songs first and proceed to the more soulful and thoughtful songs at the end), but rather goes as more of a journey, like alot of Pink Floyd albums such as the Wall and Dark Side of the Moon.
The album is cased in a sort of small cardboard box. The box holds the lyric book (which is pretty big and has the lyrics for all of the Matthew Good Band CDs and EPs) and the CD case itself. The CD case comes in three differnt colours: black, grey and white. Each different colour has a message on the thin side and if all of the different colour albums are put together you're supposed to get a message. I have the grey album and it says "in the". I don't know what the complete message is.
Man of Action - Good opener, keyboards eventually give into somewhat heavy guitars. The song is a good representation of the basic feel of the album and most of Matt Good's music (majestic and thoughtful with good contrasts between heavy parts and beautiful softer parts). 4/5
Carmelina - Probably the heaviest song on the album. A great riff with lots of attitude. This was one of the singles from the album, the first I believe. The ending solo is strange, lots of (what sound like) off key notes and slides and such, like a noise solo. I personally love it but i would think alot of people wouldn't. It's almost like a heavy solo. 4.5/5
Tripoli - A good song to follow Carmelina, slower, more thoughtful and more melodic. Also one of the happier songs on the album. Ends with a kids choir singing...strange but it suits the song in a sense. 4/5
Advertising on Police Cars - A long song, and pretty epic. Good use of violins (probably done on keyboard) throughout. Pretty depressing sounding, but in a beautiful sort of way. 4/5
I, The Throw Away - Another beautiful song, in the same vibe as Advertising on Police Cars. An acoustic guitar is featured and the song has more of a stripped down feel than most of the album. A string section, flutes and such come in later to complement the guitar when there are no vocals, but the guitar always remains the focus. 5/5
Truffle Pigs - This song starts off in the "depressing in a beautiful way" vibe that the last two songs had, but quickly turns into a happier song. The ending is great IMO, Matt repeats "Da mn I'll bring them to their knees" with all the instruments dropping out except the low volume acoustic. Then the instruments all come back in slowly and jam for a bit. 4/5
The Fall of Man - The first heavy song in awhile, since Carmelina. The song has a pretty unsetteling sound during the verses that suits the lyrics and vocals. 4/5
Under the Influence - Nothing really special about this song, kinda heavy and not really sad or happy, somewhere in between. One of the only songs that is just guitars, bass, drums and vocals. 3/5
The Rat Who Would Be King - Strange intro, bass and vibrato-ey guitar (similar to Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin). It's one of those intros that just makes me want to change the song. But it slowly builds up into a grand and epic song. Kind of strange and unsetteling like The Fall of Man. 3.5/5
Anti-Pop - This song is probably one of the best on the album, the second single too i think. Contrary to the name, this one is actually one of the more commercial songs on the album. A good chorus and an overall good upbeat vibe. The ending is pretty intense (for Matt Good anyways) with him yelling the "do do..do do.." hook. 5/5
The Workers Sing a Song of Mass Production - Decent song, just kind of average. The ending is good though. Kind of reminds me of Radiohead if you ignore the vocals. 4/5
Sort of a Protest Song - A great emotional ender, beautiful song. Very similar to "Release", the end of Pearl Jam's "Ten". Builds up from quiet guitar to a big sounding climax with violins and such. Then breaks it down and does it again. Great chorus section too that comes up between the quiet parts and the climaxes. 5/5
If you want to download a few songs, I'd suggest Man of Action, Carmelina, or I, The Throw Away. Man of Action sums up most of the album's sounds.
I give the album 4/5
After this album, Matthew Good Band broke up due to "personal differences". Matthew Good, however, continued to release music as a solo artist. "Avalanche" was Matt Good's first solo album, some people might not have noticed that it was a solo effort due to the fact that the band is called Matthew Good Band and the solo work is just called Matthew Good.
| other reviews of this album |
|
*bump*
I would've thought that a somewhat mainstream band like this would at least get a response before falling off the 1st page into the unread depths of the 2nd page :upset:
| | |
he has a new album out called the White Light Rock and Roll Review
pretty good review
what I've heard of this is ok...nothing special
| | |
Released in late 2001, The Audio of Being is the last album by Canada's excellent Matthew Good Band. Almost totally unheard of in America, MGB was one of Canada's most popular alternative bands of the 90's. Due to the band being busy breaking up, there was no tour for this album, but it still managed to sell 100 000 copies (pretty good for a nation of 30 000 000). Formed in 1995, the MGB released The Last of the Ghetto Astronauts in '95, their sophomore effort Underdogs in 1997, their third (and most popular) album Beautiful Midnight in 1999, followed by The Audio of Being in 2001. With a sound distinguished by Matt Good’s original and very excellent vibrating, yet proficient vocals, MGB is among my own very favorites. Personally, I think they are the best band to ever come out of Canada.
Lineup
Matthew Good (Vocals & rhythm guitar)
Dave Genn (Lead guitar & backup vocals)
Rich Priske (Bass)
Ian I-forget-his-last-name
1) Man of Action (7:00)
Starting with what sounds like background noise from an airport, this song soon turns into a nice keyboard/synth intro, followed by bass and then the guitars and bass. A moderately heavy song, this is not the album’s best, but it is a decent opener and a good listen. 8/10
2) Carmelina (4:16)
Starts off with an extremely cool bass riff, with distorted guitars and drums entering shortly, along with very good vocals. This is one of the album’s shortest songs (as well as singles). Also features two cool effects-laden solos by Dave Genn. Carmelina is one of the album’s most straightforward rockers. 8.5/10
3) Tripoli (4:38)
After a bit off soft white noise, the bassline and Matt Good chanting “One…two…” ominously, the song starts off. Very gloomy, this song features quite prominent drumming. Hard to describe, this is one of the best songs on the album. Finishes on a disturbing note with children singing dreamily “Where has my head gone?” 9/10
4) Advertising on Police Cars (7:08)
One of the album’s slowest tracks, Advertising on Police Cars is largely slow drumwork, and piano, with more creepy vocals as well. Another hard to describe song, but also ****ed good. 8.5/10
5) I, The Throw Away (3:09)
The Audio of Being’s first acoustic track, this is fairly subpar compared to the rest of the album. Certainly not a bad song however. 7/10
| | |
6) Truffle Pigs (4:46)
Featuring acoustics a la I, The Throw Away, as well as an electric rock-type chorus. Another of the album’s lower points. 7/10
7) The Fall of Man (5:03)
Among the highest points of this album, The Fall of Man, simply put, owns your mom. Featuring disturbing vocals (the song is about rape), a nice verse, some very creepy picking interludes, an excellent solo, and a hard-rock chorus, The Fall of Man would be one of my top five MGB songs. 9.5/10
8) Under The Influence (4:32)
Featuring more amazing bass (Rich Priske does some of my favorite bass lines), Under The Influence, also packs a slow, steady drumbeat I quite like. Another rocker, not that unique but still very good. 8.5/10
9) The Rat Who Would Be King (6:47)
Starting with a drumroll and some nondescript but catchy guitars, bass & drums, The Rat Who Would Be King is a slow, depressing, reliant-on-vocals song. Certainly a good listen, but not exceptional. 8/10
10) Anti-Pop (4:08)
The album’s second single, Anti-Pop has a hilarious video in which Matt Good and Dale Earnhardt Jr. steal a lawn gnome, take it on a road trip, and return it along with a photo album of its journey. Not faked either. On to the song itself, it’s a rocker, but certainly the most commercial song MGB ever did. Matt Good apparently hates it himself, but I like it a lot. 8.5/10
11) The Workers Sing A Song Of Mass Production (5:21)
Synth time! Matt’s bizarre vocals on this track are excellent: my favorite part of the album. As well as very odd, bass-laden verse (note: said verse is absolutely orgasmic), there’s a more normal chorus. My own favorite from this album, I’d recommend this to almost anyone. 9.5/10
12) Sort Of A Protest Song (6:33)
As the title suggests, this song sounds like it was written in a somewhat half-assed manner, seemingly intentionally. Unfortunately, it ends the album on perhaps it’s lowest point. 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Recommended tracks: The Workers Sing A Song Of Mass Production, Tripoli, The Fall Of Man
I honestly think everyone should give the Matthew Good Band a try, as they do something for almost anyone. Highlights from other albums: Indestructible, The Future Is X-Rated, Strange Days, Raygun. Also, Matt Good’s solo career is very good (listen to Weapon in particular).
| | |
6) Truffle Pigs (4:46)
Featuring acoustics a la I, The Throw Away, as well as an electric rock-type chorus. Another of the album’s lower points. 7/10
7) The Fall of Man (5:03)
Among the highest points of this album, The Fall of Man, simply put, owns your mom. Featuring disturbing vocals (the song is about rape), a nice verse, some very creepy picking interludes, an excellent solo, and a hard-rock chorus, The Fall of Man would be one of my top five MGB songs. 9.5/10
8) Under The Influence (4:32)
Featuring more amazing bass (Rich Priske does some of my favorite bass lines), Under The Influence, also packs a slow, steady drumbeat I quite like. Another rocker, not that unique but still very good. 8.5/10
9) The Rat Who Would Be King (6:47)
Starting with a drumroll and some nondescript but catchy guitars, bass & drums, The Rat Who Would Be King is a slow, depressing, reliant-on-vocals song. Certainly a good listen, but not exceptional. 8/10
10) Anti-Pop (4:08)
The album’s second single, Anti-Pop has a hilarious video in which Matt Good and Dale Earnhardt Jr. steal a lawn gnome, take it on a road trip, and return it along with a photo album of its journey. Not faked either. On to the song itself, it’s a rocker, but certainly the most commercial song MGB ever did. Matt Good apparently hates it himself, but I like it a lot. 8.5/10
11) The Workers Sing A Song Of Mass Production (5:21)
Synth time! Matt’s bizarre vocals on this track are excellent: my favorite part of the album. As well as very odd, bass-laden verse (note: said verse is absolutely orgasmic), there’s a more normal chorus. My own favorite from this album, I’d recommend this to almost anyone. 9.5/10
12) Sort Of A Protest Song (6:33)
As the title suggests, this song sounds like it was written in a somewhat half-assed manner, seemingly intentionally. Unfortunately, it ends the album on perhaps it’s lowest point. 7/10
| | |
I haven't really listened to this album when I borrowed it from the library, but I really really like The Rat Who Would Be King. I'm still getting used to Matt's voice. It's too jerky and a bit annoying for me on the more emotional parts. Maybe I'll borrow it again.
| | |
Threads merged, as the review's already been done.
| | |
Matthew Good = ok.
| | |
[QUOTE=Bartender]Threads merged, as the review's already been done.[/QUOTE]
Oops, sorry. I didn't think it had been done before.
| | |
It's not really a problem. Just check the List next time.
| | |
[QUOTE=Nra4ever_17]Oops, sorry. I didn't think it had been done before.[/QUOTE]
weird though, our favourite and least favourite songs are almost the opposite :confused:
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I honestly can't recomend anything from this. Every song is perfect to me.This Message Edited On 12.07.06
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
matthew good is a genious
| | |
Genious!!!!!!!
| | |
Pretty good review, dude. Even though Good's one of my favourite five Canadian artists, I still only give this album a 4/5, but that's just my opinion. I think Beautiful Midnight was MGB's peak.
The thing about MGB, and Good, overall, is that Good's writing has two really intense gears: the crunchy, bleating angst of a song like Tripoli and the much more quiet, but no less heated, slow burn of songs like Running for Home (from Beautiful Midnight) or Advertising on Police Cars. Most people pick one or the other as their idea of Good's best. They're distinct things, though.
It's the in-betweens that are really hard to place (see I Miss New Wave on BM for such an example).
Anyway, my vote is for Tripoli as the standout, but I'm also a big fan of Truffle Pigs, because I love songs in protest of materialism.This Message Edited On 01.25.06
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
originally posted by nra4ever_17
The Fall of Man, simply put, owns your mom.
:lol:
| | |
| |
