Matthew Szlachetka was the lead singer of the LA based Roots- Rock band The Northstar Session for the past 7 years. Now he has released a new solo album “Waits For A Storm To Find”
We had a listen to “Waits For A Storm To Find.”
Here’s what we thought:
‘Wasting Time’ is a song with a rattling, sour-strumming accompaniment.
It is about losing a life inside a whiskey jar. The piano is smooth and the chorus is sweet and relaxing. Matthew’s voice is fascinating. Delightfully eloquent.
But this summer smoothness is so immersed in radio-ready 1970’s cheesadillia that it would slip off of a butter knife.
‘And I See You Now’ is mournful with sighing slide guitars and a vocal sound that reminds us of Don Henley. In fact this song has such a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” that most would quickly associate it with the Eagles. Was it found in a time capsule?
With a title like: “Come Home For December” you know you are in for a sentimental little folk song. And make no mistake about it – this is as sentimental as it gets!
But, in fact, this is one of the stand-out tracks on the album – reminding us of UK’s ‘Passenger’ (Michael Rosenberg.) With any luck, it will be a single – but please, please … don’t release it before November!
Other songs like ‘Threw You Away In Los Angeles’ are cheerful and poppy. With biscuity rhythms and catchy choruses. This is a nice track, with joyful piano and slinky organ sounds.
The album finishes with the title track, “Waits For A Storm To Find” – this sounds like a 1970’s Elton John number from the “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player” period – 1973.
This album is a beautifully produced, arranged and performed. The star of the show is a real talent. And the songs will go down well up-and-down the West Coast.
It will definitely appeal to the fifty-somethings who will come out in droves to buy anything remotely like the Eagles.
But it this relevant in 2013? Er, no.
@neilmach © 2014
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/matthewszlmusic
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