Michael
Matera's first release on Neverwhere Records. Swirling guitar
tones and analog synths create a wonderfully atmospheric CD.
M is a CD that shows Michael's diversity as an electronic
musician, using guitars to mimic synths and synthesizers to
sound like.... well like synthesizers! This CD has a little
something for everyone; guitar oriented pop songs to minimal
textural pieces.
REVIEWS
Review
by Matt Howarth of Sonic
Curiosity
There are hundreds of incredibly talented musicians
hiding in independence, their enthralling music overlooked
by the bigger labels who are concerned only with profits and
licensing deals. Michael Matera stands as a shining gem among
these indie talents. His music is a unique amalgamation of
contemporary electronics and vivacious pop, bridging dream
and uptempo with such remarkable ease that he makes this diversity
seem as if it were commonplace.
Inventive guitars conspire with lush electronics
to produce startlingly engaging tuneage. Delicate keyboards
twinkle, each note glittering like falling ice particles.
In some pieces, the percussion is softly muted to a remote
background, contributing unintrusive tempos; in other tracks,
the percussion steps into a more demonstrative role, slickly
clacking with sinuous E-perc rhythms, but still retaining
a desire to remain unpretentious. The basslines are expert
at concealing themselves from obvious detection, but their
sultry rumble integrally embellishes the music.
The guitar riffs interact superbly with the flowing electronics
and the sparse-but-luxurious beats, generating soundscapes
that are full of animation and ingenious verve.
Several of these tracks display a surprising 4AD influence,
like voiceless Cocteau Twins. This tendency makes for an unexpected
diversity among the colder, more electronic songs. At other
times, the music bears solid comparison to the solo works
of various members of Wire (specifically Colin Newman). Yet,
despite these evident influences, Matera's compositional sense
blazes with originality and refreshing appeal.
An uptempo sparkle flourishes in this music, saturating this
contemporary electronic music with an agreeable liveliness.
Although frequently different in tone and delivery, each song
is like a splash of cooling water in a desert setting, leaving
the listener dosed with subtle cheer and dreamy optimism.
This music has a unique quality about it, simultaneously
(and successfully) striving to implement ambient and pop criteria.
Few unions are as thoroughly rewarding as Matera's work.
|
