We sent our Peer Press 5 songs off of Nathan Mathes' album Roselawn.
Just As Long As I Got You
So It Goes
Until The Sun Comes Up
Tell Me How Much You Love Me
THE LINGUIST:
We can't blame Steve Albini's 1990s interest in "warehourse reverb" for what's been reduced to a few clicks in intermediate ProTools. Here in the 21st, you empower yourself as a listener and a fan by understanding a few basics about how music can be created and recorded. Since most people use ProTools (of course there's nothing inherently wrong with ProTools, I use ProTools, it's a great program and the industry standard) it's common to have a few "filters" or "patches" enabled which make your song sound like big, warehousey, cold northern Chicago/Minneapolis/Winnipeg blue-sky dead-trees space. In layman's terms -- make them sound like Fleet Foxes. Every track has been judiciously hit with these effects, reducing tight guitar playing and 1964-65 throwback execution in songwriting to the background. Digital processing is supposed to heighten songcraft and production, not make mockery of it. "So It Goes"' hook is in a heavily processed piano phrase -- this is an example of what lovely digital effects, evoking cold clear skies of Winnipeg, are supposed to be used FOR. The final track, "Tell Me How Much You Love Me", strikes the listener as an exercise in palate-cleansing soundscapes -- I concur with The DJ. You need this brief pause of clarity ambience like sweet, cold ginger must follow spicy tuna.
THE PHILOSOPHER:
Preparing to listen through my earphones to the music of Nathan Mathes, I found the first of his tracks that oozed out, “Just As Long As I Got You”, had me sitting and rocking in tempo with my eyes shut. Nathan's lyrical minimalism in no way makes this a front running A-side single (and I hope you are old enough to even know what that term means), but what I found that it did do, after having heard more music from him, is tell me what I was expecting: that Mr. Mathes was going to be about good music. Nathan's music reminds me of a Nick Drake- great songs for music lovers who are fortunate enough to be introduced to it, perfect for that television ad that makes you forget the product being advertised when you try to tell your friend of that great track you heard in the background, and a well of music that I foresee many musicians in the future drawing inspiration from, much like what Nirvana did for the Meat Puppets on their MTV Unplugged performance.
Must hear track: So It Goes. Listen to it here: So It Goes
THE DJ:
One of these tunes was not like the others: Maybe that's why I liked the last one best.
Reminded me of Vincent Gallo.
Must Hear Track: Tell Me How Much You Love Me
THE SPIRITUALIST:
Soft whispers amongst haunting soundscapes... Nathan Mathes' voice rings true and drips
with love, romance, devotion, and joy. A gem, perfect for an afternoon drive
with the people you love.
Must Hear Track: Just As Long As I Got You
The Doula
Overall Nathan has a soothing voice, his songs really seem to hit me as perfect for a soundtrack. I am interested in hearing more from him and seeing where they take me.
1. Just as Long as I got you
Absolutely a song to be used on an indie film. Only a few words but they are words that we all know so well. It makes me think of the film "Falling Overnight" and it is one of those songs I would listen to on a day when I am in the dumps with hope in my heart.
2. Maybe We're in Love
Considering I am engaged and planning my wedding, this song is so sweet. I am such a visual person, always going somewhere in the music. The first place I went is an old house, swinging on a porch bench in the fall and seeing my future family flash in front of me jumping in crunchy leaves. Maybe we will have this on our wedding playlist.
3. So it Goes
I do not have any feelings either way towards this song... The beginning could be one of the musical tunes on a holiday commercial. I would let it play, but I would probably zone out through it. That is not a bad thing, it is a good zoning song. Some of the songs from "Garden State" make me zone out also, but I love the soundtrack. Did you know there is an awesome woman in the Childbirth community that goes by the name "birthwithoutfear," her real name is January.
4. Until the Sun Comes Up
Another song I could see being in "Falling Overnight" oddly enough. It certainly speaks to my sleep disorder as there are times all I want to do is drive "until the sun comes up."
5. Tell Me How Much You Love Me
I am not sure what just happened, but I am going to look for my glass and put it against the wall and see if can get more of it.
MUST HEAR TRACK - ALL of them!
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Find Nathan Mathes and keep up to date on all his upcoming shows and releases here:
NATHAN MATHES OFFICIAL SITE
BUY ROSELAWN HERE:
ROSELAWN ON ITUNES
