Monday, February 8, 2010

"The Goodbye Album," Matthew Sonntag

It’s only natural for a young artist to imitate his idols: We learn by walking in the footsteps of giants.

Jeff Echert

Youth is invincible. Or at least it thinks it is. Matthew Sonntag’s debut album, The Goodbye Album, is inescapably caught up with that particular fallacy. In fact, nearly every song on the album was written before Sonntag turned 21. The Goodbye Album is a fond farewell to his teenage years. What it lacks in subtlety it makes up for in heart. Sonntag’s voice is a ragged, torn thing, oscillating wildly between impassioned, throaty bleating and a quiet, breathy whisper. For his age, he’s an accomplished lyricist, blending a reliance on pithy aphorisms about love and leaving (which works) with a slight tendency towards frightful Ginsberg-like logorrhea (which doesn’t). At times he cribs a little too heavily from the playbooks of Conor Oberst and Will Sheff, but it’s only natural for a young artist to imitate his idols: We learn by walking in the footsteps of giants.

Also in CD Review

Ear Candy

Behold! The records that got us through the year

Inlander Staff |
Wednesday, December 28,2011
CD REVIEWS

'The Valley Path,' US Christmas

One of the best albums of the year comes out of nowhere.

Leah Sottile |
Wednesday, June 15,2011
CD REVIEWS

'David Comes to Life,' F---ED UP

A punk band that has grown up in a good way.

Jordan Satterfield |
Wednesday, June 15,2011
CD REVIEWS

'Codes and Keys,' Death Cab for Cutie

For once, Death Cab ceases to be pitch-perfect.

Seth Sommerfeld |
Wednesday, June 8,2011
CD REVIEWS

'Ukulele Songs,' Eddie Vedder

Yes, you read that right.

Azaria Podplesky |
Wednesday, June 8,2011

Also By Jeff Echert

Fast Lane

Tearing up the road with sounds from the garage

Jeff Echert |
Wednesday, April 7,2010
CD Review

'How I Got Over,' The Roots

Jimmy Fallon's house band borrows some star power.

Jeff Echert |
Wednesday, July 14,2010
CD REVIEWS

'Deerhoof Vs. Evil,' Deerhoof

Jeff Echert |
Wednesday, February 9,2011

Score Makers

Eye Alaska makes a soundtrack for the movie in their heads

Jeff Echert |
Wednesday, March 31,2010
CD Review

'High Violet,' The National

The indie darlings have done it again.

Jeff Echert |
Wednesday, June 16,2010


 
 
Close
Close
Close