If you've never heard Mat Kearney, you've been missing out. Kearney's debut
is an amazing fusion of pop, singer/songwriter, hip-hop, and just about
everything else. This fall, try to find Mat Kearney in your area. I know I
just found a show he's playing at just a couple weeks away!

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BULLET - MAT KEARNEY (2004)
By Josh Weekly

There have been many musical fusions and marriages of styles in the world of
Rock and Roll. Recently we have seen the success of the forced union of Rock
and Rap oversaturate the industry to nauseating levels. It was only a matter
of time 'til the "genre" would be given an extreme makeover and reemerge as
a polished masterpiece. Enter Mat Kearney ...maybe. With a deep appreciation
and regard for the culture of hip-hop, rather than re-birthing an
illegitimate step-child of musical lust, he creates a sound unlike any
other. Using hip-hop as his canvas he paints a musical picture using
brit-pop, folk, rock, and spoken word as his colors of choice. The result is
the debut full length recording, Bullet; a wonderful working of musical
diversity.

Immediately upon inserting the CD into your playing apparatus of preference
you will be introduced to the formula that makes Bullet so successful:
rap/spoken word verses over live drums and simple guitar riffs. In this case
successful also can be, at times, interpreted as repetitive. "Trainwreck"
and "Undeniable," the album's opening tracks, are undeniably simple
lyrically and are almost indistinguishable in sound. It is not until the
third track that we are able to see this simple formula actually work. On
the title track, Bullet, we hear what distinguishes Mr. Kearney from Mr.
Wright - content. Starting here at track three, the lyrics progressively get
better and better. "Girl America" includes a very real commentary on the
youth of this society. My only wish is that those who are in position to
make a difference do so when they hear this song rather than just hum along.

"My girl, she's at a crossroads, people praying for her
Some are preying on her; magazine ads, sex, drama
Smoking marijuana, longing for a father to call her 'daughter'
She's part of a generation longing for reconciliation
And this future that they're facing and this poison that they're tasting
My girl, I know this love that you're chasing"

These lyrics are a subtle reminder that everyday life for teens is a battle
for the mind, and that when fathers are not fulfilling their Biblical
responsibilities to their children, love and attention are sought elsewhere.

Bullet is its strongest during the second half. When a singing Mat opens "In
the Middle" at once you know this song is going to be solid the whole way
through, again, the content is so vital here; whereas in the beginning of
the CD we were force fed corny hooks and bland lyrics, the later half ushers
in brilliant chorus and meaningful lyrics that are beautifully sung. "Call
Me" easily steals the spotlight here; Mat picks up a triple double on this
little ditty. The use of the harmonica is what really pushes this song from
being pretty good to brilliant.

A good friend of mine described Mat Kearney as mix of Coldplay and G. Love
and Special Sauce. That would be over simplifying it, though. It is true
that there are similarities between the aforementioned artists in various
areas of Bullet; but I believe that Mat has been able to define his own
sound. While many artists struggle through several sub par albums to try and
achieve their identity, Mat has done so on his debut. I highly recommend
this CD to all of my diehard hip-hop friends as well anyone who enjoys
exceptional music. Mat has delivered the silver bullet to the beast that was
killing originality, creativity and beauty in hip-hop and music in general.

Read more about Mat Kearney at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/matkearney


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

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http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/ultimatemusicmakeover


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

HOW TO KILL AND BE KILLED DVD - DEREK WEBB
What does the PICK OF THE WEEK look like in a DVD? First, it has to be an
exceptional artist. Second, it has to be a great concert. Third, it has to
have some good interviews and behind the scenes features. And with this
release from Derek Webb, you can find all that and more.

IGNITE AND REBUILD - LIFE IN YOUR WAY
No, these are not Kids in the Way's long lost relatives. But they're still
hardcore rock 'n' roll. These guys have been kickin' it in the mainstream
with their debut for a while, but now they've come to take over hard
Christian music too.

THE IMPOSTER - KEVIN MAX
If you were scared away by Kevin Max's debut, Stereotype Be, then you might
like this album more. If you loved Stereotype Be, you will probably like
this album too. Max stays on the straight and narrow with raw alternative
tracks, fewer poems, and a bit less experimentation. But the formulaic
nature doesn't ruin it.

LONG WAY HOME - GINNY OWENS
As a fan of the original Ginny Owens, I found Beautiful a bit too soft and
underproduced for my tastes. Thankfully, Ginny's back with a happy medium of
piano-driven ballads and more electronically-produced pop numbers for a
great new album.

THE MESSAGE: PSALMS - VARIOUS ARTISTS
I had not heard of this album until about two minutes ago, but it sounds
intriguing. Some of our favorite artists, from Andrew Osenga, Jeremy
Casella, Over The Rhine, and Kendall Payne put to song some Pslams as
translated by The Message translation of the Bible.


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even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
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Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
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