Matthew Ward - Matthew Ward

  by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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When record companies make comparisons with other artists in press releases , these other artists and bands all too often have nothing in common with the band they are promoting. A common thing is to see record labels making comparisons to The Beatles, and often they do this even though the only thing that’s similar is that they both make pop music with guitar, bass and drums. I find this quite irritating, as you may have guessed. So, when I read about Matthew Ward and his comparisons with Nick Drake and Syd Barrett, I thought that he was just going to be another of these depressed lonely men with an acoustic guitar whining about how lonely they are or how sad a childhood they had. But when I put the CD on, the first artist I am thinking of is the Canadian singer/songwriter (by the way, what kind of expression is that? I guess Damon Albarn of Blur is a singer/songwriter too, as he sings and write songs…) Ron Sexsmith, mostly musically (Mr Ward also has a backing band…), but also a little in his singing voice, even though Matthew Ward's voice has a deeper sound.In some songs, for example 'Dreaming Of You', he also sounds a bit like Nick Drake, which is nice. But the Syd Barrett comparison… I just can’t get it. Syd Barrett was a lunatic and genius at the same time (when you have written a song like 'See Emily Play' you must be considered a genius, or something quite near it), and his solo albums contained strange, often very unstructured songs. I don’t think Mr Ward writes very strange and unstructured songs. This is Matthew Ward’s first album, after releasing some singles on Earworm, and I must say that it’s quite interesting and good. This is a record that grows on you, from the first time you listen to it and think “Oh well”, until the second or third time, when you suddenly think “this is quite good”. Some of the tracks are the type of songs that just float by without you noticing it, but some of them, such as 'Bluebottle Reds, are very good. I read somewhere that he began his career recording at home on his 8-track, and it would be interesting to hear him on his own, without the backing band. Not that they are bad, but I wonder if they really give the songs something extra. Well, if you’re into Nick Drake or Ron Sexsmith, I think this is a record for you. If not, I think you can begin with Nick Drake, as he is better than Matthew Ward.

Track Listing:-

1 Think I'll Think It Again
2 Blueboyyle Reds
3 Nothing Matters
4 Nowhere
5 Life Is Sweet
6 Dreaming Of You
7 Breathe Deeply
8 Getting Sleepy
9 Remembering The Winter's Day Sun
10 What Is And What Has Been
11 Massive Orange Glow
12 Cold And Fruity
13 March Hares
14 Happy Days Are Here

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