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Matthew K

Matthew K

Review by Gary Hill

This is probably closest to something like Billy Joel. It has a real adult contemporary element running throughout. It’s actually quite effective, though. I’d say, though, that there are couple places where songs could be cut a bit shorter, and the whole album might be stronger if it had a few less cuts.

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Track by Track Review
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This comes in with an adult contemporary sound. The vocals bring it into sort of a modern country ballad type of approach.  

I Love These Days
More thoroughly based in that adult contemporary sound, this has a bit more energy and oomph. It’s a pretty song. The guitar on it does at times bring some country to the table.
Aurora
There is no country on this cut. It’s just a solid song that is based in pop music with an adult contemporary basis. It does have a bit of a proggy element.
Half Life
The first verse is based on a folk like sound. The cut grows out from there to something that’s quite proggy. In fact, I think I could label this as progressive rock. Sure, it’s on the AOR side of that equation, but it is prog. It’s also one of the highlights of the set.
Only Hope
This piece makes me think of Billy Joel in a lot of ways. It does turn a bit proggy at times, though.
Light a Candle
Adult contemporary meets jazz and Billy Joel on this number. It’s a solid one with a potent vocal performance.
Story of Love

There is no big change here. This is another solid tune. It really doesn’t stand out as all that special, but it works well.

Chasing Shadows
This cut is very much a prog rock ballad type piece. It’s one of the most powerful songs here, too.
Some Distant Day
More of that adult contemporary sounds dominate this piece. It’s just sort of an “also ran” as it really doesn’t stand all that tall.
Where Does Our Love Go
I think maybe had the album ended with “Chasing Shadows” it would be stronger. This song, like the previous one, is just a little too much. It’s more of that Billy Joel kind of thing.
Cuento Del Amor
This is in Spanish. It’s also evocative. Beyond that, though, it’s more of the same.
Ave Maria
This classic piece is delivered with just acoustic guitar as the backdrop. It seems to overstay its welcome a bit.
 
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