I first came across Matt Morris while watching the Hope for Haiti telethon earlier this year, as he sang "Hallelujah" with Justin Timberlake, I wondered who is that guy with the wild mustache. To be honest, I wasn't blown away, but I was intrigued enough to listen to uploads on his myspace page and now I'm big fan.In an interview with a radio station in San Diego, Morris described his album as "eclectic" and I would agree. The album is comprised of 13 very individual tracks each with a very distinctive rhythm, unique lyrics and passionate melodies. The best part of this album is the layered musical quality it presents through its use of specific instruments especially his use of string instruments, a few heated and controversial lyrics, and his soulful, beautiful and at times rugged voice. He is a truthful artist; the most honest I've seen in a while. His lyrics are current and relevant, especially on tracks like "The Un-American"and "Bloodline".
Because each song is so different I decided to dissect each of the albums songs below, so that you have a better idea of what to expect from this superbly unique album.
1. Don't you dare- I'm personally not to crazy about this track, it's a bit harder than the rest of the album, but his voice sounds great and at times the song incorporates wicked breaks of classically infused piano solo's which I am a big fan of.
2. Money- In money he really touches his jazzy- soul roots, in a Justin Timberlake sounding track- that bounces in and of the truths that come hand in hand with money. This song is great to jam to, reminds me a lot of a Maroon 5- back in the "Songs about Jane" days. I really love how chill this song is
3. Love- "It's like an angel kissed my lips and then held me close and it said this is love" An obvious love song, to a reggae rhythm this song blows me away with its simple musical background combined with beautiful lyrics identifying the love in the first person's life.
4. Bloodline- This song, like many of his songs, tells a story. This one, with full characters and scenery, is the story of a woman living in a big city, unable to make it on her own, the struggles he witnesses her enduring, the truths about how God and the Christians feel about women like this character. It's not only the story that is being told that makes this song unreal, it's also the beautiful string accompaniment that add the life to these, I'm assuming, fictional characters.
5. Live forever- This song is another one of my favorites, it's a bit harder and sounds like he incorporated a light touch of auto-tune... but it never gets annoying, like most other auto-tuned songs. Live forever has great lyrics of how he is going to love like they are both going to live together... that's exactly what I love about his writing, because how often do you hear live like you were dying, or love like you'll never love again etc. this is a totally new approach to viewing love in a true forever and eternal sense and I think that is amazing.
6. The Un-American- In an interview Morris claims he wrote this song after eavesdropping on a conversation a couple of people were having in a hotel. The lyrics are comprised of the characteristics that make a person Un- American. I personally feel that verse 1 and verse 2 are juxtapositions of each other. Each line revolves around things that are current, be it politically and or socially, red vs. blue or just a 3rd person perspective on how things are today. I feel like there are flares of anger in his voice, which combined with a beautiful string arrangement and the stern use of snare and symbols, makes "The Un-American" what I truly believe as the closest thing to a perfect song.
7. Let it go- Slows the albums momentum, and takes it down to a heartfelt acoustic final plea for a chance to speak. Morris' voice sounds pure, solid and honest throughout the song... again complemented by the strings; another great song.
8. You do it for me- I can't stand this song. I actually don't make it past the first twenty seconds of it... it just sounds way too much like Stevie Wonders "Signed, sealed, delivered". So there is not much else for me to say but I do urge you to give it a shot.
9. Just before the morning- Love this song! This is another great story song... something that I could imagine from the "Garden State" soundtrack. This song has an amazing lyrical base and very nice Damien Rice sound to it... Love it!
10. In this house- This song is- Damien Rice meets Ray Lamontagne and they take a vacation to beaches of Jamaica... very cool, guitar infused song. "These buildings grow like weeds, like dandelion seeds, they spring up where they please".
11. Forgiveness- I don't know why but when I hear this song I imagine a travel song... great road song. This is another lyrically driven storyline with wonderful music and a great vocal performance to support it. Very good!
12. Someone to love you- Very simple story... acknowledging the desire to be loved. Beautiful. I love to hear him sing these sensitive truths.
13. Eternity- I'm on the fence about this song, it reminds me of the theme song from True Blood, dreary and mystical. It's dramatic and dark which I like but I feel like there is too much going on, too many words. On a plus he does dabble into that southern rock/ blues/ country genre and that I do like.
So there it is… I hope you have an opportunity to check this guy out… he really is a refreshing new sound given the current state of the music industry. Below are some links for him.
http://www.myspace.com/mattmorris
"Looking for a way- to change the weather, whether you or I survive tonight- I promise you that I will love you like- were gonna LIVE forever",
Nita
