MATT ANDERSEN
''HONEST MAN''
FEBRUARY 26 2016
36:11
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01 - Break Away 02:45 (Matt Andersen, Tom Swift)
02 - The Gift 04:26 (Matt Andersen, Dajla Lalia)
03 - Honest Man 03:32 (Matt Andersen, Chris Kirby)
04 - I'm Giving In 04:08 (Matt Andersen, Jamie Hartman, Andy Stochansky))
05 - Quiet Company 03:52 (Matt Andersen, Donovan Woods)
06 - Let-s Get Back 04:23 (Matt Andersen, Andy Stochansky, Gordon Williams))
07 - All the Way 04:01 (Matt Andersen, Gordie Sampson)
08 - Last Surrender 03:17 (Matt Andersen, Andy Stochansky)
09 - Who Are You Listening To? 02:43 (Matt Andersen, Ryan Hupman)
10 - One Good Song 02:59 (Matt Andersen, Donovam Woods)
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REVIEW/AMG
Timothy Monger
The Canadian Maritimes aren't necessarily known for producing A-list blues acts, but over a decade's worth of quality releases and heavy touring have made New Brunswick's Matt Andersen into one of the nation's more reliable performers. For the follow-up to his Juno-nominated 2014 album Weightless, the powerhouse singer teamed up with veteran R&B producer Commissioner Gordon (Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone) in New York to record Honest Man. Throughout Andersen's career, his roots-oriented approach has included elements of blues, folk, soul, rock, and country, so a venture into the R&B world seems like it should be a fairly natural progression for him. Opening track "Break Away" is buoyantly funky with a tight beat and an uplifting message that suits his warm, friendly voice. The title cut is another funky affair with a nice interlocking B-3 and horn groove that really sets the tone for the album's direction. One of the most noticeable things about Honest Man is Gordon's use of programmed beats, samples, and synths to propel the songs. While Andersen's prior recordings could never be accused of having a low production value, the added studio gloss here feels a bit too extreme. As a performer, he's the kind of guy who can captivate a room with just an acoustic guitar and that big, comforting voice. Part of Andersen's appeal as both a singer and a songwriter is how relatable he seems, and this slick new setting doesn't quite do him justice. There are a few exceptions like the dark piano ballad "I'm Giving In" and "Last Surrender" with its vintage Stax vibe, but overall, this foray into shiny studio pop is a bit of a stumble.
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BIOGRAPHY/AMG
James Christopher Monger
Award-winning Canadian blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Matt Andersen is known as one of Canada's hardest-working musicians, averaging around 200 live performances per year. Specializing in an earthy blend of blue-collar folk, electric blues, and roots rock, the New Brunswick native began his musical career in 2002 with the group Flat Top. He issued his solo debut, Second Time Around, in 2007, followed in 2008 by Something in Between, and in 2009 by Piggyback, the latter of which was a collaboration with acclaimed harmonica player Mike Stevens. That same year he issued his first concert album, Live from the Phoenix Theatre, and later his first collection of holiday music, Christmas Time. A pair of studio albums, Push Record (with Mike Stevens) and Coal Miner Blues, followed in 2011. The Steve Berlin-produced Weightless, his debut long-player for the True North label, arrived in 2014 earning Anderson a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. For his follow-up, he travelled to New York, working with producer Commissioner Gordon (Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone) to record 2016's Honest Man.
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WEBSITE
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TO THE TOP
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''HONEST MAN''
FEBRUARY 26 2016
36:11
********************
01 - Break Away 02:45 (Matt Andersen, Tom Swift)
02 - The Gift 04:26 (Matt Andersen, Dajla Lalia)
03 - Honest Man 03:32 (Matt Andersen, Chris Kirby)
04 - I'm Giving In 04:08 (Matt Andersen, Jamie Hartman, Andy Stochansky))
05 - Quiet Company 03:52 (Matt Andersen, Donovan Woods)
06 - Let-s Get Back 04:23 (Matt Andersen, Andy Stochansky, Gordon Williams))
07 - All the Way 04:01 (Matt Andersen, Gordie Sampson)
08 - Last Surrender 03:17 (Matt Andersen, Andy Stochansky)
09 - Who Are You Listening To? 02:43 (Matt Andersen, Ryan Hupman)
10 - One Good Song 02:59 (Matt Andersen, Donovam Woods)
********************
REVIEW/AMG
Timothy Monger
The Canadian Maritimes aren't necessarily known for producing A-list blues acts, but over a decade's worth of quality releases and heavy touring have made New Brunswick's Matt Andersen into one of the nation's more reliable performers. For the follow-up to his Juno-nominated 2014 album Weightless, the powerhouse singer teamed up with veteran R&B producer Commissioner Gordon (Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone) in New York to record Honest Man. Throughout Andersen's career, his roots-oriented approach has included elements of blues, folk, soul, rock, and country, so a venture into the R&B world seems like it should be a fairly natural progression for him. Opening track "Break Away" is buoyantly funky with a tight beat and an uplifting message that suits his warm, friendly voice. The title cut is another funky affair with a nice interlocking B-3 and horn groove that really sets the tone for the album's direction. One of the most noticeable things about Honest Man is Gordon's use of programmed beats, samples, and synths to propel the songs. While Andersen's prior recordings could never be accused of having a low production value, the added studio gloss here feels a bit too extreme. As a performer, he's the kind of guy who can captivate a room with just an acoustic guitar and that big, comforting voice. Part of Andersen's appeal as both a singer and a songwriter is how relatable he seems, and this slick new setting doesn't quite do him justice. There are a few exceptions like the dark piano ballad "I'm Giving In" and "Last Surrender" with its vintage Stax vibe, but overall, this foray into shiny studio pop is a bit of a stumble.
********************
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
James Christopher Monger
Award-winning Canadian blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Matt Andersen is known as one of Canada's hardest-working musicians, averaging around 200 live performances per year. Specializing in an earthy blend of blue-collar folk, electric blues, and roots rock, the New Brunswick native began his musical career in 2002 with the group Flat Top. He issued his solo debut, Second Time Around, in 2007, followed in 2008 by Something in Between, and in 2009 by Piggyback, the latter of which was a collaboration with acclaimed harmonica player Mike Stevens. That same year he issued his first concert album, Live from the Phoenix Theatre, and later his first collection of holiday music, Christmas Time. A pair of studio albums, Push Record (with Mike Stevens) and Coal Miner Blues, followed in 2011. The Steve Berlin-produced Weightless, his debut long-player for the True North label, arrived in 2014 earning Anderson a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. For his follow-up, he travelled to New York, working with producer Commissioner Gordon (Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone) to record 2016's Honest Man.
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WEBSITE
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TO THE TOP
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