the matthew show: Press

It was like a gazillion years ago that I stumbled upon The Matthew Show. I was Googling Fred’s Cafe and somehow was directed to Matthew’s site/blog. At the time, Matthew was living and performing in New York, and I became quite the addict to his adventures in the Big Apple. Then when I read he was associated with such Fine Line favorites like Little Jack Melody, Reggie Rueffer and even the great Goodwin, then I just knew he had to be good people...

Like someone who just snuck a joint in the washroom, 'texas' keeps its head down, quietly going about its work with an odd gleam in the eyes.

There is an intimacy on his debut solo album 'texas' that wraps around you immediately. matthew's talent is realized in many haunting moments...Whatever influences crop up on 'texas', the overall flavor is euphoric and smart.

I very rarely feel as connected to an album as I’ve felt with this one...the lyrics show a intelligence that you don’t find everyday in music, and also display a connectedness to the human element...with very little listening time, I became a fan!

the matthew show brings solid songcraft straight out of your favorite lunch box. matthew makes lyrical leaps from one sit-com to the next, elegantly tossing out yearning and humor in the same breath. These foul-mouthed mini-vignettes speak for all geeks and the girls who love them.

He even has a Dilbert doll, but don’t touch it: 'I’ll break your fuckin nose', he says. It's like Pink Floyd singing with Leonard Cohen or Nick Drake.

If you do not listen close, it would be easy to get the impression that 'texas' is a nice album. And it would be easy to think that the matthew show, a one man band made up by matthew, is just as nice, especially to have recorded such a nice album. But, when you listen closer, past the soft melodies and catchy guitar...

Factory workers can cheer to Springsteen, truckers and inmates to Johnny Cash; but if you earn your measly wage shuffling papers beneath the glare of flourescent lighting, the matthew show has written your song at last...If you're the kind of person who would rather watch Austin City Limits than Pepsi Smash, this album is for you.

If you like varying blends of diversity in your music listening experiences, then I'd suggest you give this album a shot.

This CD feels like I’m wandering through a musical laboratory, watching matthew mix and measure while the manuals and textbooks burn in a corner. He doesn’t need them. This CD, with the pops and glitches, is spontaneous and intriguing.

Trust me that you and everyone you know will love this one. Every emotion is explored honestly and refreshingly...If Phil Collins can inspire this sort of artist, perhaps there is hope for pasty 13 year olds with questionable taste.

These days dangerous music doesn't find its way to the radio airwaves. From a corporate point of view (and modern radio defines the corporate point of view), 'Office Suite, Part II' was most certainly the most dangerous track of last year.

While most acts that pretty much consist of a solo artist seem to be mere exercises in egotism, I just don’t get that sort of vibe from 'texas'. 'Office Suite, Part I' is one of the heights of the CD, perfectly catching the nature of cubicle life.

'You like talking, you won’t quit. You like Bob Dylan, I don’t give a shit...' What else do you need to know? Cool, thought provoking lyrics and clever combination of folk and rock.

...a slice of genius...Recommended to fans who like their music smart and a bit off center.

Yeah. I like this one. There's lots of clever lyrics here and an honesty of expression that's rare in much modern rock -- less posing and more self-revelatory. Good stuff.

the matthew show is the case of one guy tired of trying to please others with his music. My favorite line comes from a song ('The Loneliest Boy In Toyland') that could've been penned by Dan Bern: 'You like talking, you won't quit / You like Bob Dylan, I don't give a shit'.

When we first reviewed his CD submission we all just sat there looking at each other in amazement. Amazed that a major label has not picked up this artist. matthew is without question a rising star.

This is an album that is best listened to in your quiet place, away from everyone, away from the world...I've never claimed to be a qualified critic, a brilliant writer or of having an ear for talent... I'm just a guy who likes good music, and in my opinion the matthew show is good music.

...matthew displays talents in all areas of songcrafting, creating the perfect backdrops for his wonderful deeply harmonic voice...A gritty and honest melding of folk and rock.

the matthew show is wonderfully depressing...Its like listening to your own internal monologue clinging to its once solid idealism of what you should have been, that understood that potential everyone told you you had when you were young, but stopped sometime around 20.

This one's a keeper. A collection of rueful reflections on life's sad parade, the matthew show's 'texas' is the musical equivalent of watching traffic go by your window on a rainy day and wondering where all those people could be going.

On 'texas', the matthew show proves there is a place carved out in the music world for a modern day soapbox prognosticator...no I can't see much of this hitting the airwaves, I don't know if the general public is ready for the matthew show just yet.

'texas' is a work of art.

The highlight for me is 'Office Suite' (parts 1 & 2), which is a hard biting look at office life that really hits the nail on the head - excellent stuff.

...his music always has that grey and sad emotion and it is mainly slow, quiet, suggestive and intimate, with a special talent to create melodies that get into your heart, in the company of the loose and calming vocal style of matthew and his sense of humour and ironic lyrics (often it is similar to a lullaby or something like that, or a kind of dozing crooner).

I don’t see why the boy is pouting. He’s on the cover of a great collection of music...this is the musing of a psychotic working everyday stiff.

'texas' is intelligent and cunningly crafted personal pop. The rendering may seem displaced in this generic pop era, but makes for a lasting experience rather than a throwaway fad.

A sometimes frightening emotional roller coaster. Quite the rush.

matthew's voice is clear, elegant, and expressive; he has a rich, simple intonation and phrasing perfect for the kind of lyric-intensive music he's delivering. Best of all, he has a sense of humour -- in the midst of these well-crafted songs we have the vitriolic, vicious, and insanely hilarious 'Office Suite' spoken-word pieces documenting in harsh, garish color life as a temp worker. I damn near split a gut laughing.

'The Loneliest Boy in Toyland' is another showcase for matthew's witty and acerbic lyrics. The bite isn't in the music which is melodic and warm with gentle rhythms that frame and highlight the bite of sometimes very amusing lyrics.