We have a busy week coming up and wanted to fill everyone in on the happenings. We will be appearing on the Comcast televised CN8 TV show Backstage (formerly known as Backstage with Bary Nolan) which hits 13 million homes from
On Tuesday, July 22, we will be playing a hometown gig at one of
On Thursday July 24, we will be back in NYC for a show at Arlene’s Grocery,
You’d be hard pressed to find a record title which matches its content more accurately. Singer – songwriter Matt Shwachman’s sophomore effort sounds remarkably fresh and innovative in this, the eighth year of the artistically / culturally vapid / vacant decade of American Idol and Rock Star. Shwach (that’s his nickname) is obviously a student of classic pop song-craft (i.e. he can compose a melodic tune that grabs you in a simple verse/chorus) which is not as easy as it sounds. Though his lyrics are the standard stuff of love lost, love found, and love unrequited – Shwachman’s arrangements are an explosive mix of funk, reggae, techno, soul and art-rock rendered by dexterous posse of sidemen. Uplifting and danceable there’s nary a wasted note on this collection, whether the artist ruminates of travels through Australia (“Side of the Road” – dig the forced twang in his vocal delivery) or celebrates the simply joys of life (“Dying to Feel Alive”) or toys with a bit of glam rock bravado (“Floating”). Let’s forget the ‘00s ever happened and start over with Uncharted Territory.
–Tom Semioli [July 22, 2008]
http://amplifiermagazine.com/reviews/cds/matt_shwachman_cd.php
