|
Quotes Matt Singer, Pianos, 1/9/07
Review by My Musical Crush
cross-pollinating a singer with a fool (matt singer/the fools) http://villagebroadsheet.com/content/view/178/51/ Matt Singer-Words Of Mass Destruction EP Time for the honesty: I should have reviewed this EP months ago when I first picked up Matt Singer’s "Weapons of Mass Destruction" a few months ago. It’s not that I didn’t want to listen to the East Village folkie/rapper’s EP right away. In fact I did, and I enjoyed it too; but the rub was this: this is a protest album. Having been so disaffected and depressed by the results of last November’s election, I declared an unofficial, temporary moratorium on all things political. Well, it’s been nearly six months so I’ve decided I can finally write the nasty words: President George W. Bush. Alright, I did it. It’s important for me to be able to write the presidents’ name while reviewing the EP because as good as Singer raps on White Men /Grey Suits he isn’t the star of the song. That honor goes to W himself, whose voice appears in samples and sound-bites throughout. Singer manages to do the impossible: George’s words sound more sinister than they did in their original context. The song itself is another riff on the "Master’s of War" motif, but Singer is witty enough to avoid the usual self-righteous, banal hip-hop protest song clichés. W. introduces the next track also, warning listeners about the dangers of playing god (easy for him to say). Singer follows this excerpt with a tongue in cheek ode to "Clones," the sung part of the EP. He wonders if these forbidden clones would want to pray or watch porn, lust for power or fade into the status quo. Singer’s melodic voice is so laid-back and sweet that it perfectly counterpoints (in a funny way) the paranoid zeal of the Bush administration. Singer writes protest songs that are serious without taking themselves too seriously. And he goes a long way to showing us just who, exactly, is Rupert Murdoch’s bitch. http://www.russellsreviews.co.uk/cdreviews/mattsinger_wmd.htm Matt Singer Words Of Mass Destruction Politics is a dangerous area for musicians to dabble in, you have to be really lucid and intelligent to get your point across and ensure you don't come across as a part time compassionate trying to get some cred. Luckily Matt knows he's more than able to put across his point, and his confidence is such that he addresses the issues across the musical genres. 'White Men/Grey Suits' is a sinister hip-hop number, musically reflecting the climate of fear that Dubya has instilled in the American people. It's most reminiscent of Michael Franti's Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy; its languid yet menacing delivery and the repeated clear chorus hammer the point home. 'Clones' is more of a lullaby, based around a simple acoustic guitar line and little boy lost pleading vocals. Repeatedly it lurches into calypso rhythms and then nears the climax with a community sing-a-long chorus at the end with precious xylophone sounds tinkling in the background. The CD is dedicated to the Bush Empire. If there's one good thing to come out of the administration it's that it inspires singers like Matt to write songs like these. Also, here's the Editor's report from the 2003 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Awards Show (Pg. 76) in the 2005 Songwriter's Market book: Singer/Songwriter Matt Singer, winner of the Gold Award in Hip-Hop and the Contest Director’s Award for “Man with a Can,” an acoustic-guitar backed urban rap telling of an encounter with a sage homeless man, heard about the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest through the Contests & Awards section of this book. “I found out about the contest through the Songwriter’s Market,” he says. “It mentioned Mid-Atlantic as one of the reliable song contests.” He also said that he enjoyed the opportunity to bring some recognition to himself and to hip-hop as a genre of writing. “I am motivated by unusual forms of hip-hop. I like when people stretch the boundaries, and the hip-hop you hear on the radio is often not the most ground-breaking, creative stuff you can hear. I think for the most part, even people that love hip-hop a lot of times really concentrate on the background of it and the beat, the thing that makes the mood. I’m really attentive to the lyrics that MC’s sing, and I always judge the quality of an MC by their ability to say things intelligently and with rhythm.” http://www.adequacy.net/reviews/s/mattsinger.shtml September 2003 There you will find a music review that, ironically, i got a week before i won a song contest for man with a can. here's the review: Brooklynite Matt Singer's second release, SuBLiMaTion , delivers a personal slice-of-life, filled with warmth and humor. Mr. Singer's guitar work stands up to his playful pop- based folk tunes. Several songs clock in at about five minutes, not surprising when you consider the rich detail Singer infuses them with - Ivan Drago, chocolate cake, gelato, Rocky Balboa, hummus, James Van Der Beek, Katmandu are just a few of the references that pop up throughout the album. The best material here stays true to the folk leanings Singer clearly has, though he slips on a song or two. “Man with a Can” finds Singer doing a rap, a very white boy rap at that. This effort, while clever and with interesting lyrical workings, still manages to fall flat. This is a genre best left to those who know it. Sure, rap has entered every phase of music, but if you're a folk fan, one of the last things you want to hear is rapping over an acoustic guitar. Singer should stick with his strengths, which lie in telling an interesting story. “Scary,” a great story about meeting your imaginary dream woman, is typical of Singer's songwriting style: playful, cheerfully energetic, and humorous. Another example can be found in the lyrics from “In the Way,” (“Daddy, these ladies are so catty, am I still your favorite little fatty boy?”). The overall rhythm of the album is one of folk-driven, lyrically expressive tunes played by someone who has a feel and a love of what he is doing. Folk music has a way of finding its way back to the forefront. Maybe Matt Singer will be around for some time, or he may trade that acoustic guitar in for a telecaster. - Michael Kylis , 9/22/03 Allston-Brighton Tab It's rare that an entertainer is equally successful making his audience laugh and cry. It is even more rare that he can make his listeners do both at the same time. Singer has mastered this art. (read the entire review!) Indie-Music.com ... old-fashioned jazz troubadour charm with a modern wicked streak. Wide-eyed, innocently wicked. Village
Voice ... a joyous roots sound strung through an urban outlet... nice string work and fine harmonies. The
Rising Matt Singer
can do incredible things with his mouth. This soulful jester makes Maraschino
super-fly folk. He's got a witty, wicked and weird mind with boy-next
door melodies that you can't get out of your head. This smoov white
boy with a whole-milk voice is playful and wise beyond his years. His
music is timely, smart, incredibly funny and might make your mama cry. garageband.com
...Genius...
Tenacious D had better watch their backs. |