Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Mat Kerekes, Atlantic Records 2019.
Mat Kerekes is a name I haven’t heard of until this album but if this disc is anything to go by I should become familiar with him.
The first thing that struck me about the album on listening to the opening title track is how much Mat sounds like Tim Freedman and/or James Blake.
He has a similar vocal style and the ability to sing a lovely falsetto.
The next thing of note is his wonderful songwriting and how versatile he is.
On the second track, Diamonds, he sounds for all the world like Freddy Mercury. Even the guitar solo sounds as if he’d employed Brian May to play it.
Every aspect of this album is beautifully done.
The production is not intrusive, just enough to allow the songs to speak for themselves.
The track list provides variety from up-tempo indie rock to gentle ballad.
I received no information with the download so I don’t know who played what on the disc.
I found a quote online that suggests Mat played most of the instruments and if this is the case he is a talented musician.
The rhythm tracks are creative without dominating. The drumming is very good but there’s plenty of space for the vocals.
Acoustic guitar is a dominant instrument but there are also many wonderful touches of electric guitar, keyboards (especially piano) and even the sparse use of strings.
While the album is gentle overall there is still plenty of interest.
Most tracks have passages of quietness that encourage introspection which is then broken by periods of intense energy.
A track like Welcome To Crystal Cres starts very gently before breaking out into a powerful indie rock track and then returning to a simple and sparse conclusion.
There is something about Mat Kerekes’ music that is reminiscent of Tim Freedman’s work with The Whitlams.
It’s the combination of catchiness of lyric and melody.
If you haven’t come across Mat Kerekes before I suggest that you give this album a listen.
