Moving Walls Released!!!

[Prairieboy]

19 hours ago, mfrg said:

I’m almost 50 and have zero interest in making consecutive Beautiful Midnights, etc. That was decades ago. And even those albums since, especially the last one, were written without facing any internal compulsion to change. And that’s on me. After Lights, I should have just kept going. 

 

When I sat down and wrote Arrows it was just easy. I’d seen the dissatisfaction on the faces of concert goers on the Lights tour and knee jerked. It’s something I should never have done. The same is true of Chaotic Neutral which should have sustained the vibe of Harridan, Tiger, Cold Water, Los Alamos, etc, without the interjection of “rock songs”. Again, that’s on me. 

 

All of this  My favourite songs on Chaotic Neutral are exactly these. And think about it - I was 23 when Beautiful Midnight came out. I also squeezed into the mosh pit when MGB played Edgefest, hung out at the bar every weekend until 2am with my buddies listening to MGB and would do it all over again and again every single weekend.  Now - I’m 43, I’m a grandpa (serious), my favourite piece of furniture in our house is my bed, I’m ready to go sleep at 9pm every night, and my body aches every morning when I wake up.  Can’t even imagine my 23 year old self anymore.  My last MG show was sitting at a table in a casino watching him play.  No mosh pit. No jumping. No yelling to “play Time Bomb!!!”  And it was my most favourite concert yet.  I find myself now listening more to artists who are in the so-called latter stages of their careers (and frankly who I think are better now than ever) or exploring the back catalogues of artists who have passed away - and who will never write another new song again. I don’t stream music. I still buy digital downloads but I also want to physically own a copy and have it in my hands, so I buy the CD and often the vinyl. And I am grateful for these artists’ passion.  Because I know I could never do what they do.

[Some Random]

before i disappear again until the next album drops, i just want to clarify that i in no way think his new album sucks, and that i don't expect a thousand beautiful midnights. it's just that his creative output doesn't hit me in the feels right now. that's fine. he's done so much solid work that i'll always perk up when new stuff comes out to see if it's for me or not.

[gweeps]

3 hours ago, IamNick said:

matt's analogy of the typecast actor is sad to me; i wish he could just make the music he wants.

He can and from what I've heard, he has.

Unfortunately a consideration may be that it doesn't feasibly help pay the bills. And he probably wouldn't want to just tour as he'd probably feel like a nostalgia act.

[adam_777]

I haven't sat down to review Moving Walls yet because I like to sit with Matt's releases a bit before seeing how I feel about them.  Even then, sometimes it takes years before a song will hit me.  I've always felt a personal connection to Matt\s music and sometimes certain song hit me at certain times because of certain circumstances in my life.  An album like Beautiful Midnight I hold in high esteem because of the era it was released in.  I was 12 that album became a complete summation of so much of what I was feeling at the time, going through significant changes in my life.  That album will forever hold a special place to me because of just the time it came into my life and the moments I associate with it.  Recently I made a post ranking Matt's solo albums, and while I was making the list I was wondering if some of those albums may have resonated more with me if they had come out at different points in my life.  Once an album becomes so ingrained with personal experience for me it becomes nearly impossible for me to separate that and be fully objective about it.  

I appreciate you coming here to post some thoughts Matt, it's always very welcome to hear some of your insights.  There is no doubt a tough situation for performing artists because part of your crowd respects the art, and part just want the entertainment, the night out, the show.  I can imagine looking out and seeing disappointed faces during the lights tour would be somewhat disheartening,  I really enjoyed those shows, one of my favourite tours since I started going to you shows in 2008.  But I can understand that temptation to please the audience.  But it's something all artists deal with largely because so many people fear change...they want the same, but different.  It's an impossible standard.  When Led Zeppelin release III, the fans were taken aback, acoustic music? Where is Whole Lotta Love 2.0? Now that album is generally regarded as a classic, but at the time many people derided it.  Neil Young released Harvest to critcial and commercial success in 1972, and then in his own words he steered for the ditch.  His next three albums and tours were influenced heavily with depressing music and boozy laments that alienated many fans expecting more country rock, they wanted him to be the Eagles, he didn't...those albums confounded many.  Now many of his fans consider them the best music he ever released.  I haven't lived or worked in the music industry, but the advice I'll give Matt is to do what makes sense to you.  I think you have a fanbase that will support you through those changes, even if they themselves may not understand all of them, or relate to all of them themselves.  Going the route of trying to please all the people all the time is not a rewarding path, in the end you'll be exhausted, unfulfilled and ultimately unsuccessful at achieving it.  

You mentioned ticket prices and I wanted to chime in on that because I am astonished people have any issue with these.  When I started attending your shows in 2008, I was paying between $30-$40 a show, these days I'm about $40-$55, that increase is almost negligible in an industry where other artists playing the same venues are charging $150-$250 for good seats.  $50 is the cost of dinner at a steakhouse.  To me there is nothing that gives me more than a good concert, there is something truly unique about that experience.  I'm happy the concerts are affordable, I'd pay more without question if it cost more.  The reasonable prices allow me to usually attended 4-5 shows a tour.   People just like to complain about things, but please understand these people are probably a vocal minority, most that I've spoken with are very much pleased with the fact that ticket prices have stayed very reasonable.  

Anyways I just wanted to address a couple of Matt's comments and I'll post an album review here in the coming weeks, but I'll say for sure right now that I love the sound and intimacy of the album, and also One Of Them Years is an immediate standout, the vocal delivery in that is incredible and the desperate urgency of it really hits the mark, a fantastic track! 

[foats]

I wish I had more time to post here. I've been traveling like a banshee the past year with my new job. I have however gotten to listen to the new album. I really dig it. But there are some things Matt said that have me questioning my feelings.  Matt stated how easy it was to write Arrows. Arrows is one of my favorite albums. I'm not sure if it's because of the time it was released or if it's due to it being similar in sound to the MGB I fell in love with here in the States.  But then, Matt stated Tiger and Cold Water,  those are my 2 favorite post Arrows songs. I almost feel guilty loving all of Arrows and Tiger and Cold Water now.  

This album will sound great live on acoustic tours.  Some of these songs will flourish in a full band setting as well I imagine.  To the detractors, I would ask you listen to the full album 2-3 times. It truly does get better with each listen. Matt comparing albums taking long to age and it immediately made me thing of Pinkerton by Weezer.  Album was torn to shreds in reviews, fans originally didn't care for it, it caused the band to essentially break up for 4 years due to how Rivers handled it.  The banded started to play again and it took another 2 years before they would even play a Pinkerton cut.  Now they realize the album is a cult classic. 

The world is a strange place

[mackie1023]

1 hour ago, foats said:

But then, Matt stated Tiger and Cold Water,  those are my 2 favorite post Arrows songs. I almost feel guilty loving all of Arrows and Tiger and Cold Water now  

The world is a strange place

I think he was saying the rest of the album should have been more like those songs. 
 

I agree that everyone should give it more than just one run through. The album is complex, and it takes more than one listen to absorb. 
 

The world IS a strange place. 

[Millstone]

You're right. Probably should have kept going on the Lighted path.

[NonPopulus]

After listening to the album multiple times, I feel confident saying that it’s my favourite since Lights of Endangered Species.

I was sort of taken aback by what Matt wrote about seeing dissatisfaction in the audience during the Lights tour. I loved those shows. I thought they rose way beyond just a mere musical performance. They were theatrical. The opening trio of songs at some of them (the piano version of While We Were Hunting Rabbits, Lights of Endangered Species, and The Boy Who Could Explode) was probably the most epic way to kick off any show I’ve ever seen by anyone. I still listen to the recording of the Edmonton show on a regular basis. It really meant and still means a lot to me.

Back then, Non Populus was my favourite song, but How It Goes, Set Me on Fire, Shallows Low, and the title track are all even now. Even a handful of the unused songs from the demo phase of that album, like For and Against, We Are a Place, and let’s say the “less straight ahead rock version” of All You Sons and Daughters are among my favourites. As a side note, Hey Hell Heaven from Arrows is another one of my favourite songs, but who knows what it could have become if it wasn’t limited to being composed on a four track for guitar-driven rock’s sake?

Anyways, as far as Moving Walls goes, I really enjoy the clarity and brightness of the production, especially the acoustic guitars. I’m happy to hear strings and horns play prominent roles in the songs again.

Boobytrapped is my favourite song on the album. To me, the lyrics are really evocative of lonely isolation, the capacity for self-sabotage, and longing. The subtle vocal delivery is just sublime, especially the second lyrical section when he sings, “you silhouetted against the sun.”  I also like how the vocal harmonies are limited to just, “no more.” I mentioned the strings, but I also find it interesting how the guitar on Boobytrapped is sort of reminiscent of piano.

Matt has frequently deviated from ABABCB structure and related arrangements. I always assumed he did that to serve the songs in some way. For example, would Boobytrapped be served in any way by having him screaming in an added bridge or outro? Would it be improved by a face-melting guitar solo? I think the string swell near the end conclude the narrator’s story and it doesn’t need any more than that.

Thorn Bird is a close second. One of Them Years, A Momentary Truth, The Heights, A Thousand Tons, and Parts are my other favourites, but I throughly enjoy the album all the way through.

Thanks for the awesome album, Matt. I look forward to seeing these new songs out on the road.

 

 

 

[IamNick]

6 hours ago, NonPopulus said:

After listening to the album multiple times, I feel confident saying that it’s my favourite since Lights of Endangered Species

 

 

yeah i feel the same.

[PsychoLamb]

Really digging this album. 

Standouts for me are: One of Them Years, Boobytrapped, Radicals, and Dread It.

[russic]

I'm with NonPopulus, his comments about seeing reactions from the crowd on the Lights tour struck me. For that tour my usual partner in crime for MG shows was out of town, and my other buddy had to bail last minute. I felt slightly odd going to a show by myself, but I had the VIP ticket so it's not like I was going to bail. What followed remains one of my favourite concerts of all time. An hour after the show I was able to thank Matt for the show and let him know that it was one of the best concerts I'd ever heard. His reaction was modest and polite, but perhaps a bit confused? It was like he didn't believe me, or maybe I was just being a weirdo super-fan kiss-ass that he's used to running into from time to time. But goddamn. That show did stuff to me. 

I didn't dislike Arrows, but it felt like it may have been a venture back to what he wasn't looking to do. One for the fans that obviously struck for a few of us, but ultimately not him. I would imagine creating art (or anything else) requires the upkeep of a certain level of momentum. Some albums seem to energize him while others ultimately chip a little bit away. I hope Moving Walls ends up very much the former.

My attitude on his retirement is odd... I fully support it if he's able. Of course there's a selfish part of me that just wants to hook him up to vitamins and demand a new album every two years, but I can only imagine what it's like for an artist of his calibre to be somewhat concerned to release material he wants to make for fear people will turn their backs. Not to mention, he's got little kids. Every tour I'm eternally grateful to still be taking in those shows after all these years, but touring has got to be a little crushing when it comes to not seeing your kids. 

So if Moving Walls is doing what he wants... I say he should do what he wants because it sounds pretty damn awesome. The drunk guy yelling for Time Bomb won't dig it, but maybe pruning that particular branch back means we all win. 

[Williammunny11]

30 minutes ago, russic said:

I'm with NonPopulus, his comments about seeing reactions from the crowd on the Lights tour struck me. For that tour my usual partner in crime for MG shows was out of town, and my other buddy had to bail last minute. I felt slightly odd going to a show by myself, but I had the VIP ticket so it's not like I was going to bail. What followed remains one of my favourite concerts of all time. An hour after the show I was able to thank Matt for the show and let him know that it was one of the best concerts I'd ever heard. His reaction was modest and polite, but perhaps a bit confused? It was like he didn't believe me, or maybe I was just being a weirdo super-fan kiss-ass that he's used to running into from time to time. But goddamn. That show did stuff to me. 

I didn't dislike Arrows, but it felt like it may have been a venture back to what he wasn't looking to do. One for the fans that obviously struck for a few of us, but ultimately not him. I would imagine creating art (or anything else) requires the upkeep of a certain level of momentum. Some albums seem to energize him while others ultimately chip a little bit away. I hope Moving Walls ends up very much the former.

My attitude on his retirement is odd... I fully support it if he's able. Of course there's a selfish part of me that just wants to hook him up to vitamins and demand a new album every two years, but I can only imagine what it's like for an artist of his calibre to be somewhat concerned to release material he wants to make for fear people will turn their backs. Not to mention, he's got little kids. Every tour I'm eternally grateful to still be taking in those shows after all these years, but touring has got to be a little crushing when it comes to not seeing your kids. 

So if Moving Walls is doing what he wants... I say he should do what he wants because it sounds pretty damn awesome. The drunk guy yelling for Time Bomb won't dig it, but maybe pruning that particular branch back means we all win. 

 

This!

[foats]

If you guys know me you will know I won't ask for much. I am begging and pleading that we get the hear One of Them Years in Buffalo.  The song is magic and would make a hell of a single. 

[Sly Botts]

I was listening to Matt's new album while playing Half-Life 2 update yesterday. (I find I really absorb music when I'm doing something like chores or playing a game while listening).  Definitely different from other works but also sounds similar to songs from various albums.  As I predicted for myself, there are a few good gems on this album, same as previous ones for me.  Listening to boobytrapped actually makes me think of driving on the highway at night.  I really like that song.

As far as recent albums go, I really love Army of Lions from Chaotic Neutral. My kids do too.  My son (RIP) would ask me to play it if he knew I was playing Matt Good in the Van. So now I think of him in his seat in the back of the van, every time I hear that song.  For me, Matt still has it, I'm just at a point in my life were different things resonate with me differently.  I find though that I can still find those gems, which says more compared to lots of other artists out there for me.
 

Thanks for coming out Matt!  See in in the Sault in March.

[mundy]

Haven't posted in an MG forum in years.  This is the record, along with Lights, that I've been hoping for since the second half of Loser Anthems.  It's easy to get caught up in what you miss from years ago, just like we'll all be talking about how we wish he'd play A Thousand Tons more often 5 years from now.   

[mackie1023]

1 hour ago, foats said:

If you guys know me you will know I won't ask for much. I am begging and pleading that we get the hear One of Them Years in Buffalo.  The song is magic and would make a hell of a single. 

I am hoping for the same. Would be an amazing opener. I’m interested to see the variation in set lists between the rest of the tour and the acoustic shows. 

[folk singer]

i've had a chance to listen to the album a couple of times through now, and it's definitely a grower. For me, so far, the stand outs are: one of them years, booby trapped, radicals and dreading it, but I find most of them quite good. Its amazing that when I first started listening to Matt (Beautiful Midnight era), I found that so many of the songs resonated with me at the time (grade 9)... and I find now, 20 odd years later, that the same applies for his new material. There are lyrical moments on the new album that hit me like a ton of bricks. I find the album quite bittersweet, as the best moments are ones that cause me to reflect back at moments of pain, but the fact that it connects with me brings a kind of melancholy happiness. It's a strange, wonderful experience. 

[IamNick]

my initial thoughts upon listening were that this is my favourite album since Lights of Endangered Species, but I think this could be my favourite MG album.
 

I just love the way it sounds, and the songs are all mature sounding, and cohesive like there's no wasted space, even though it's quite long. i don't know, it's such an easy listen while still being so complex. i'm really loving it.

 

[ydk]

I'm digging this new album quite a bit. Definitely runs a lil long but there's not a lot of 15+ track albums that don't have a filler track or two. "Thorn Bird" might be my favorite. The guitar gives me a Raised By Swans-type of vibe. Beautiful track.

The one thing i don't like, which really doesn't matter much nowadays anyways, is the album cover. Since he had an even better one sitting right there for the using;

[gweeps]

How's the french song?

Edited February 25, 2020 by gweeps

[foats]

1 hour ago, gweeps said:

How's the french song?

baiser au large troll

That's how the French song is.

[squall17]

I would say Lumiere Noire rules in several ways. Additionally the rest of the album is just stellar. I agree with all posts on this page, like how this is the best album since Lights and surprise for Matt being disheartened at the fan faces on that tour. This page is rammed with praise for Moving Walls. It's not a shock that some people openly stated their honest feelings of moderate satisfaction...this is a forum after all and they were generally respectful about it too. Can't be fun for Matt but that certainly can't be allowed to overshadow the abundance of legitimate praise for this album and Matt's accomplishment of staying true to himself to make it.

We adore the work you do Matt and any true fan of yours has grown with your sound. You have a legion of fans who are totally stoked for the tour. Don't retire either...we will be thrilled to follow you and your music wherever it goes!

[gweeps]

2 hours ago, foats said:

baiser au large troll

That's how the French song is.

I haven't heard the album yet. And it's a first for him I believe. If I'm not going to be able to understand the lyric, it'd be nice at least for the song to be memorable.

[foats]

11 hours ago, gweeps said:

I haven't heard the album yet. And it's a first for him I believe. If I'm not going to be able to understand the lyric, it'd be nice at least for the song to be memorable.

so listen to the song and judge it off of your ears. If you own the album awesome, play it and let us know your thoughts. If you don't own the album yet, play the song on youtube it's on Matt's official channel and takes maybe 5 mins to hear. 

[gweeps]

5 hours ago, foats said:

so listen to the song and judge it off of your ears. If you own the album awesome, play it and let us know your thoughts. If you don't own the album yet, play the song on youtube it's on Matt's official channel and takes maybe 5 mins to hear. 

Jesus. All I asked was folks' opinion of a unique song in his catalogue.