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Matt Hannah House of Illusion Review by Gary Hill I previously reviewed a couple of other releases from Matt Hannah. While this new one lands in the same general territory (folk and country based music(, this is the best of the bunch. There are some tracks here that are exceptionally strong and nothing here is weak. It doesn't get samey or repetitive, either. All in all, this is a great album for fans of roots based sound. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review

My Front Door I dig the cool acoustic guitar groove of this tune a lot. The organ sound lends a great retro tinge. This is a classy folk rocking number. Some horns later are a nice touch, too.

House of Illusion Perhaps a little more alternative rock based and contemporary, this still has a lot of folk-based roots music in the mix. This is a particularly strong tune, making it a great choice for title track.

Sidelines Alternative rock informed by folk music is at the heart of this. The verses are closer to down-home country based folk. The more powered up choruses have the more rocking sounds.

Light Years There is a lot more country music on this number. It's a ballad that has some intriguing layers of sound as augmentation.

Lost and Found Here we get a tune with a lot of country rock built into it. This has a good energy and some cool hooks. It's a fun track.

Searching for a Poet’s Grave With a lot of country in the mix, this is a mellow and reflective piece that's packed full of emotion. It does power up a bit as it continues. This is folk-based music of the highest order. It's one of the highlights of the set.

Last of the Flophouses A stripped down folk ballad, this is classic. It's a solid tune, but not really a standout.

Places of America I love the energized country based rock sound on this number. It is fun, and the guitar fills are a great touch. The guitar solo is classy, too. There is some real old-school rock and roll built into t a lot of the guitar sound on this number. I'd consider this a highlight of the set.

Real Guitars Folk rock sounds are at play on this number. The cut has some classy guitar work in an instrumental ramp up later. That movement includes a really magical arrangement.

Silver Lining Built exclusively around acoustic guitar and vocals, this is a classy ballad that works really well. It seems a fitting closer.

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