It’s rare that a self-titled LP fits the sound and scope of a project as well as it does for Matthew Barber’s latest record. After collaborating with the likes of Howie Beck and Hawksley Workman, the talented song writer opted to scale back his sound and take complete control of the reigns by releasing a collection of self-produced and home recordings.
Scaled back and pure, the songs are far from hallow or empty. The melodies Barber presents are strong, varied and ultimately complete, but this is the most exposed Barber has been on record to date.
In years past, I mentioned that Barber wanted more than hit singles, he wanted classic records. He wanted his name to stand humbly alongside artists known by all by only one name. Petty. Neil. Dylan. Paul. Loudon. Barber has long since realized that simply rehashing traditional sounds or subject matter isn’t enough, which is why he can craft songs about a love that stands the test of time (whether it be for his family or his lover) without a hint of self-consciousness. It’s not cool, simply honest. Most interestingly, when Barber sings of a love that lasts forever, he could just as easily be professing his love of music and the relationship they share.
The reason this scaled back approach works so well is that Barber has the talent to match melody to verse. Free flowing and warm (the metronome beat and organ work on the opener “Keep It Alive” set the tone perfectly), Barber keeps most tracks moving with an uplifting gate, but the self-titled LP is far from one note. The vintage soul swagger of “Ring Around Your Finger” could have been unearthed from a time capsule (or at least the Roadhouse soundtrack) and you can hear Barber’s sincere tip of the cap to the greats all over the record, but you never lose sight that this is his sound and his heart.
There are moments of longing; the double-tracked vocals and tender piano that frame “Man in a Movie” would make even the most hardened soul pause, but the celebratory feel of “I Miss You When You’re Gone”, the playfulness of “Patch in Your Jeans” and the heat of the harmonica-laced “Dust On My Collar” show Matthew’s fire still burns.
Matthew will be playing two shows here in Halifax (with the lovely and talented Oh Susanna rounding out the bill), so do yourself a favor and head down to the Carleton for at least one of the two shows.
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MP3:: Matthew Barber – Ring Upon Your Finger
WEB:: http://matthewbarber.com/