Search - Matthew Good :: Avalanche

I had to write something after reading all the other reviews

Neil Armstrong | Halifax, NS | 03/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm so happy that others agree with me on this album. I purchased it, I think the day it was released, nearly 2 years ago and it is still consistently my favorite cd. Sure I purchase a new one every now and then but this cd always finds its way back into my stereo for a few days stint at a time in order to get my emotional fix from powerful music.



The lyrical content might be confusing to some, including myself, but the vocals and the music in this will blow most people away. I love how Matt Good has moved from more traditional rock to experiment with some other musical mediums on this album and the marriage of the two types of music and his voice still moves me after hearing the album hundreds of times since I bought it. From start to end, it's damn good listening.



My favorites are "While We Were Hunting Rabbits", and "Nearing Fantastica"... they build up and get you rolling!



I hope he can match this album in the future but I can't see how. He never lets me down per say but his newer album doesn't compare to Avalanche in my opinion, but mostly because it's simply a different style and I prefer the more complex music of Avalanche."

Near Mattastica

Sebastian, J.F. | Toronto, ON Canada | 02/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If perfection was something that was truly attainable and not merely subjective, "Avalanche" would the the Webster's defintion.



This is a man who's just rediscovered creative control and, like a kid at Christmas, can't wait to use it. Matt experiments with whatever pops into his head and the result is a surprisingly cohesive album. The album can be defined in general as a rebellion album, where Matt rebels against politics, the music industry, the current state of society... you name it. He's still pissed off but he's not trying to cram his thoughts down your throat. He's explaining in great detail the reasons why you should be pissed off too.



The album can be listened to from start to finish without a moment you'll regret. And there are some definite standout songs. "Pledge Of Allegiance" is a great opener and creates a soundscape with a delayed guitar that's very visual. You lose yourself in this song. "Weapon", the first single, is still an amazing song with a great combination of acoustic guitar and crunching electric guitar. "A Long Way Down" is an upbeat ballad with a beautiful chorus, "House Of Smoke And Mirrors" is an amazing closer with some impressive piano work, and "Double Life" is the most upbeat song of the bunch with two infectious guitar solos.



But wait, there's more. In fact the best two songs on this album are polar opposites. "While We Were Hunting Rabbits" is a powerful lament about the state of the music industry and has the type of ending that makes you say "That should be at the end of a movie!"



The other song, which somehow manages to top the previous, is "Near Fantastica". This song is a driving rock song with an incredibly loud chorus which will surprise you considering how toned down the rest of the album is. It has a rhythem guitar effect throughout the whole song which is really hard to describe but I guarantee it will have you coming back again and again.



So, to sum this album up?

"It's been alright.""

Definitely obsession-worthy

Nina | Ottawa, Ontario | 03/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard Weapon I knew I had to buy this CD the day it came out, and I was not disappointed. Every track is a crazy musical rush. Pledge of Allegiance is awesome with its soaring choral lines and bells.
Lullaby For A New World Order is totally moving. Weapon, of course, is heavenly.
In A World Called Catastrophe is fun, but Avalanche is just plain exhilarating: when Matt starts singing
"aaaaaaavalaaaaaanche..." it actually evokes a real avalanche, and the mixing effects are cool.
Then there's 21st century living, which is maybe my least-favourite song because of the slightly-less-than-clever spoken parts, but then again the chorus is catchy.
While We Were Hunting Rabbits is nice and relaxing.
Et cetera, whatever, the rest of it is good too.
Almost every song, if not every one, has orchestral backup that brings the whole experience to new heights of beauty.Buying this album is like making 100% profit. You'll love it and want to listen to it all day... and make all of your cheapskate, CD-burning, MP3-downloading friends jealous at the slick pictures in your CD booklet... You'll also notice the little white card to access matt good's members-only site to download other versions of the songs, and, on the last page of the booklet, a nearly-invisible little poem that you may have to hold up to the light to read."