blanchie

Champions... Also, depending on the day: Odette Black Helicopter I'm a Window

I didn't think so. Just checking.

Sorry to disappoint...

Nah, I'm a fake Swede from Montreal... But you're right, blondes grow on trees here.

I think I need to clarify: I understand negative reviews as a concept... I can give you plenty of those about other songs (non-MG). What I am not so clear on is what is wrong with this particular song. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on Born Losers, because I think it sounds great, and stands quite well next to his back catalogue. I don't think he has let us down at all. I also don't hear anything wrong with his voice... I listen to it about twice per day and I like a little more each time.

Stockholm, Sweden!!

I'd love to, but I'm in Sweden right now... ;-)

Absolutely. He even wrote about that last year on his site - a terminated pregnancy and regrets... That line plus some of the others make this song the most direct, personal, and raw emotion-filled tune I have heard. Combine that with the driving beat and yet get an amazing mix. A mix of bitterness and energy, of emotion and pure Canadian rock. Everyone has their own ways of judging songs and I respect that, but I don't get the very negative reviews. I understand the ones who say it isn't their favourite, but Shade, you'll have to enlighten us a bit on your rather brief review... -- Also in terms of the lyrics discussion, I think it is: No day for night Matt pronounces the "night" with a strong Canadian T, almost sounding like a plural "nights". This expression is a metaphor for pretending - for making believe things are a certain way when they are not (note: refer to his many postings about his marriage). It is in reference to a classic movie technique and also used very nicely on the cover of The Hip album of the same name. Type in "Day for Night" in Wikipedia...

If the current method is taking too long, I am willing to pay for the transfer to be done by a commercial transfer place. Here's an example from Vancouver: http://www.commercial-drive.com/business/avideo.htm They can transfer it to mpg or Quicktime.

I love it. It is my favourite so far. It wasn't at first, but as someone else said, I've listened to it over and over and I like it more each time. It is a fantastic combination of upbeat, high tempo music, with some of the most personal, melancholic and dark lyrics he's written. This strange combination gives the song a beautiful quality. The departure from previous sounds makes it even better. I must admit that I cannot separate myself from the information I have read in MG's blog, so I don't know what I (or anyone else) would think of this song without the background knowledge. However, having this background knowledge helps to make me think of this song as incredibly powerful and biting. It is downright nasty in some ways, more or less what I expected after hearing about the events in his life from 2006. I think this could even be a popular single because non-fans could bop along to the song, oblivious to the background of the lyrics. It has a driving beat perfect for listening in the car... I think this song is among his finest for many reasons, including some mentioned above. And I love Pat's drumming in this one. I'm glad Pat worked on the album. I can't wait to see him perform it live in the second tour.

I have to respectfully disagree. Although some of my favourites are from MGB records, I find Avalanche and WLRRR to be amazing albums, full of beautifully written and socially relevant songs; not to mention great music. There is a maturity and depth there that surpasses earlier work. As well, for an audiophile, they are of better sound quality than the MGB ones. I like both MG periods. I like the MGB stuff and I like the solo stuff. But I am very happy with the current direction and see great things in his future, in terms of music quality anyway. Don't forget, popularity and quality are not the same thing, and it may be the case that he does not have as many casual fans as in the late 1990s, but that is not as a result of the quality of his later music, but instead a factor of marketing and fickle teenage music tastes (artificially created) which drive the music industry. Even limiting ourselves to Canada, there are dozens of bands getting radio airplay who can't come close to Matt in quality of their music. They're more popular, but so what? The only down side to this, of course, is to Matt's pocket book, however, he doesn't strike me as someone in it to be rich. Besides, less popularity lets fans like us see him in small venues and not in arenas where it is all about the show and not the music. I do not think he is "on the downslope" of his career. The MGB sound may be over, but he is just at the dawn of his solo career, and that has been excellent so far. I am looking forward to the next few albums... ;)

American Aparrel (the company that makes those t-shirts) always make thin tees. I like the feel of them. Plus, as an added bonus, they've certified sweatshop-free! Cool, thanks for the info. Well paid workers is the way to go... ;)

I remember hearing singles from Last of the Ghetto Astronauts on the radio in Vancouver (Alabama Motel Room, Symbolistic White Walls). Then I remember when Everything Is Automatic came out and was played a fair bit on Montreal radio (well, on CHOM anyway). The Hip was my favorite band, I remember thinking that the music was in the same style, so I liked it right away. However, at the time I was more into Jazz since most mid-90s rock music sucked (on radio anyway), and I wasn't listening to the radio much. In the early 2000s when good rock came back, I found MGB and MG again with Audio of Being, but I only became a big fan by the release of Avalanche. I remember thinking that it was a sure sign that our world was screwed beyond redemption when Avril Lavigne won a Juno for Album of the Year that year instead of Matt, but at least they gave him a nod for the Weapon video (I know these things are political, but anyway...). Since then I have purchased all of his albums (some twice) except one, and I have bought the Avalanche LP, and many more MG items. I have stopped short at shelling out $200 for Lo-Fi B-Sides on Ebay... maybe some day, although I was thrilled when Matt included it on In a Coma. He is definitely my favorite musician now, and I like all of his work, especially some of his earlier work which I only appreciate now. His two solo albums were fantastic, and I look forward to the next one.

Fated, because I am feeling sick, though not enough to be hospitalised and need an IV...

I made the mistake of not having any money at many other concerts (I'm so used to Interac), but now I make sure I always have some cash for the Merch table... I picked up one of the new MG Solo T-Shirts as well... they're a bit thin, but I like the design.

Yeah, no kidding, what was Melissa's dude doing for most of "Hurt"? It seems like he couldn't get ready and contributed about three seconds of guitar playing - which didn't help in any way. She was great. I picked up her Thumbelina Prelude (signed) with Go Down Matthew on it - that song was great live.

Merci Rebelle! I agree with you that the Sex Tape song is great - maybe it could get him a break into the mainstream, and finally more recognition! ;)

Maybe I missed something, but what exactly is pretentious about the song "Weapon"? I don't get that feeling at all from that song - it isn't trying to be anything. What definition of pretentious are we using for this debate (to make sure we are talking about the same thing...)?

Absolutely - he is underrated for sure. It is probably a large combination of things includig his record label, the small and uniform radio playlists in Canada, the fact that he doesn't play "The Game" to become famous, and that as others have said his music is multi-layered and deep. Every time you listen you can focus on a different aspect and never tire of his songs. Personally, I could listen to his stuff all day long and never get bored. He is not cut from the right mold to be popular in today's radio environment, although he deserves a lot more attention than other Canadian bands who get radio play with boring, generic songs.

Thanks for sharing... like the others have said, what other songs did you record? Did you use a regular digital still camera with a recording feature or did you sneak in a camcorder-type camera?

The Montreal show last night was fantastic! Matt was in superb form, both vocally and mood-wise. His talks between the songs were very funny and gave some great insight into his world... The set list was great and I was very pleased that he played for so long - almost 2 hours. It was well worth being first in line for this one (2 hours before doors opened)! The opening 3 songs were played without a break and set a great tone for the show: Avalanche, Tripoli, Generation X-wing. It was funny - he often did not stop playing between songs and the fans were not sure when to clap (me included)... in fact twice there was no clapping at all between songs because his transition from one to the other on the guitar was so smooth. I can't wait for the next tour and I hope he does acoustic again...

The show last night was amazing. Matt Good was in top form, hitting all the long, high notes we love him for (last fall he barely could because he had taken ill a few days before the show). The set list was great (thanks Prosis for writing it down) and I was very pleased that he played for so long - almost 2 hours, and that it was a bit early from the posted time: Melissa went on at 20h19 instead of 20h30 and Matt started at about 21h10. Usually concerts are always late... Overall, it was well worth being first in line for this one! I can't wait to hear the bootlegs. Hey Rebelle - I guess you were standing right near me, because those Goth kids were right behind me. Thankfully I could not really hear them (maybe it's because I'm tall), but my friend (much shorter)standing next to me complained all night that they wouldn't shut up! Why bother paying $26.10 plus delivery for a ticket if you're going to talk all night long?!? As well, the opening act is McClelland, not McVelland - the poster at Cafe Campus had her name spelled wrong!

Too many, but three I can think of right now: - "Mother told me to be something, so I'm afraid enough to stay wide awake" Failing the Rorschach Test - "But you don

"Can't get shot in the back if you don't run" played live (acoustic solo) as the encore in Montreal last year. Avalanche Weapon The Inescapable us Let's get it on Apparations as a live acoustic solo performance (usually an encore) It's been a while since I was your man

The single is not scheduled for July 5th - it says "July 05", which in the confusing first decade of the 21st Century means July 2005 ('05, or 05). He stated in the blog that it was being released to radio in "late July". And by the way, he never implied that "americans are worthless sacks of ass vomit". He just implies that the Bush Administration and anyone who willingly supports them is. There is a difference: about a 150 million plus difference. ;)