|
By: Forrest Reda
Matt Costa strikes a balance between reverence and
thievery on his sophomore release, Unfamiliar Faces (Brushfire). A folk-troubadour revivalist, Costa's lyrics could be set in past decades, but this is part of his charm. Costa wears his influences on his tattered
sleeves, but at least his shirt is vintage. Acoustic-guitar strumming, tentative piano and harmonica are the basic instruments, giving the album an organic feel. Studio interludes fade from the Beach Boys style vocal harmonies to a street scene that sounds like Abbey Road. The sparse arrangements on most of the songs allow the lyrics
and vocals to breathe, particularly on standouts "Never Looking Back" and "Emergency Call." However, Costa doesn't try too hard and the result is an album that's easy to listen a few times but perhaps not much more.
JamBase | Worldwide
Go See Live Music!
|
