mopey mumble-mouse

sometimes it may seem annoying, and perhaps lazy journalism, for media / critics / whoever to just repeat what's in the bio. but we're devotees, so of course we've heard it a million times. but to the general Canada AM watching public who only know Matt as the "Hello Time Bomb" guy, it does provide some context. which is the point of providing the media with such talking points in a bio or what have you. i would think. performance is good. candid. makes me hope and pray he comes to Newfoundland in the coming year (it couldn't possibly be that hard to orchestrate!). But Matt looks and sounds awkward and a bit unconfident to me. he shouldn't: the song wipes the floor with the standard Canada AM fare, and he should sing it like he damn well knows it. he must on some level. ;) it's funny, it seems to me like my favourite artists are always ones who start off really mainstream, and then grow more and more belligerent and individual as they mature. Talk Talk is a prime, PRIME example in that department. and i think those artists have more staying power for me, than, say, some up-and-coming indie or punk artist who put out one or two albums with a vision and voice, and then water themselves down as soon as they achieve even a modicum of success. I won't name names for the sake of avoiding arguments, but let's just say I've had my heart broken more than a few times over these past few years. but something tells me we won't be seeing Matt doing any SUV commercials anytime in the near (or distant) future. i wouldn't want to be on a fucking bag of doritos either, mope.

"worse" seems like such a harsh word, especially for as stunning a record as HM. but I think the emotional impact Avalanche had on me at the time will never be equaled - that record found me just when i needed it. However. I think Matt has cemented himself with these past three records as an artist with staying power, and a capacity for growth not demonstrated by his 90s can-rock peers. NOTHING by the MGB matches the maturity of the songwriting (lyrically or musically), nor the sense of dynamics demonstrated on these three records. There are times i'm embarrassed to admit to liking the MGB - at their worst, they represent a kind of watered-down, MOR, radio-friendly canadian alterna-rock that was all-too-prevalent in the 90s (something which I think was a major determinant in their breakup). A lot of their material has aged badly for me. but I saw something in Matthew's work then, that I didn't in the OLPs IMEs etc, and I think Matt's solo career has borne that faith out. He may not have the playing chops *, but in terms of artistic and humanitarian vision I'd go so far as to name Good the Bruce Cockburn of his generation. another couple decades of this amount of consistency (assuming the West doesn't crash and burn by then - peak oil, anyone??) and he may just prove me right. the amount of typos in the booklet is aggravating though. Christ. love mope * (but then, who does?)

does the re-interpretation of Hello Time Bomb on In A Coma remind anybody else of Cat Power's similar reworking of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction? Both slow the songs down, make them acoustic and mournful, and drop the "Rocking" chorus. just wondering. Cat Power are amazing by da by. check them out. I'm so sad Matt never got to play here in St. John's last year. the organizers of the Hallowe'en Mardi Gras are fucking morons for not having a backup plan. RRRRRRRRrrrrrrrraaaarrrggh! which means if Matt DOES come here again, he'll probably play at that shithole Mile One Stadium and it'll cost three-to-five times as much. ugh. i shivered in the rain for hours hoping the show would still go ahead back a year ago. GOD. sorry, talking to myself now. goodnight. <3mope.

yeah, but that's EXACTLY why i like the idea, knowhuhmsayin'? besides, i indulge in gluttony all the time. ;) i meant it in a good way. anyway, yes, you're right, we should be talking about the video and not matt's cheeks. my own opinion is that the video is good but.. kind of typical, somehow. and i've felt that way about almost all of matt's videos, with the exception of a handfull, like everything is automatic (FLOORED me back in the day), weapon (likewise, and HOW.. definitely his best video), carmelina (yup yup yup).. can't think of any others right now.. yeah. it was always the combination of the song and images too that got me. i thought apparitions was AWFUL. strange days too. the intent in both cases was pure...... but just, NO. i've found matt's videos to be more awful than not, actually. though when they're good, they're very very good. and i actually quite liked alert status red for whatever reason. i guess i like videos set in high schools. and where the band performs. or pretends to perform anyhow. there's nothing in the new video i haven't seen SOMEwhere before, you know? the abandoned space, the multiple matts.. the.. lipsyncing. the faux-sullenness. i have a love / hate relationship with music videos. they're all incredibly cheesey. i mean, i LIKE cheesey sometimes (okay, a LOT of the time). but it's just so hard to break from formula nowadays. it's all been done. i think the one image in this video that struck me the most was the very first, of the mirror passing behind matt.. or whatever it was they did. kind of raised my hopes for the rest but i was a little let down. i just like watching matt, in the end. it was a nice treat, but videos are gravy to me, ultimately. the end. love mope.

meh. might not even be that, you know. ever heard of your metabolism changing as you get older? i certainly hope mine doesn't, given how i eat right now. i should have quite a lot more heft than i do. maybe one of these days i will. although i will admit, i do like the idea of matthew good indulging in gluttony, somehow. i'm sure he eats well anyway. hopeso. love mope.

i like that he's gained weight. now there's more of him. RIOT, DON'T DIET! love mope (a skinny rake myself).

i am hoping to cover While We Were Hunting Rabbits within the next year or so, minus the orchestral bit at the end obviously. also, The Inescapable Us was the first song i ever learned on guitar. and, the name of my band (same as my username) is somewhat inspired by the line "the lights are out and i'm a mouse" from Bright End of Nowhere. it was certainly in my head when i came up with it. we also cover Current 93 and Manic Street Preachers, two bands i'd highly, highly recommend to anyone into Matt Good. <3mope.

it's good, but it needs a hitler mustache. ;) <3mope.

for anyone here hoping to go to the st. john's show, the george st. people finally called me back: the acts for the night are the novaks, then auf der maur, then matthew good. "doors" (ie the street) open at six. the tickets have to be bought at the door (so i'll be there super early friday morning, quite possibly with a crew), and only cost TEN DOLLARS. the show is 19+ unfortunately (so my girlfriend can't go.. poop.. though i guess she could listen from the next street down). i don't know if the NF people want to post this stuff up on the concerts page. scouts honour it's what i've been told. ;) muchlove to all <3mope.

does ANYONE know anything more about matt's show at the george st. hallowe'en mardi gras in st. john's? to be honest it comes as a HUGE surprise to me that matt would play an event like this, george st. isn't terribly large and is sure to be full of KNUCKLEHEADS, as there is on any given night on george. i'll be fearing for my personal safety to be honest. i've tried calling the george st. association and they haven't returned my calls. i've seen ZERO promotion for this as yet. if i don't get to be there, and right up front, i'll DIE. anyway. many thanks in advance. <3mope