Gresham's favorite son Eric Matthews has returned with another dose of warm, seductive hits begging to jump into your lap. You've heard the term "radio-friendly"? Anything on The Lateness of the Hour is downright radio-enr... more »aptured. Matthews's striking melodies and graceful arrangements recall several whistle stops along the pop music timeline, visiting and grazing on painstaking '60s sophisticates like Phil Spector, George Martin, Brian Wilson, and their gentle, non-bombastic use of strings and horns on "To Clear The Air" and "Gilded Cages." From there, it's time for a snack of slick, soulful '70s Top-40 taffy by Gerry Rafferty, Walter Egan, Orleans, Seals & Crofts, and Little River Band, among others, followed by a dash of wistful '80s whiz kids like Sting, Richard Page, and Mark King on cuts like "Becomes So Dark" and "The Pleasant Kind." Clearly the man is a musical omnivore who has learned his lessons well, yet his too-smart-to-be-wimpy songs don't sound like they belong anywhere other than in the present, pulsing out of the stereo with the restorative powers of a hot bath after a day cutting cane in the fields. A few more intuitive artist-scholars of Matthews' stature would sure help me to make it through endless stacks of Collective Soul, 7 Mary 3, Reef, and other such no-brained nonsense. --John Chandler« less
Gresham's favorite son Eric Matthews has returned with another dose of warm, seductive hits begging to jump into your lap. You've heard the term "radio-friendly"? Anything on The Lateness of the Hour is downright radio-enraptured. Matthews's striking melodies and graceful arrangements recall several whistle stops along the pop music timeline, visiting and grazing on painstaking '60s sophisticates like Phil Spector, George Martin, Brian Wilson, and their gentle, non-bombastic use of strings and horns on "To Clear The Air" and "Gilded Cages." From there, it's time for a snack of slick, soulful '70s Top-40 taffy by Gerry Rafferty, Walter Egan, Orleans, Seals & Crofts, and Little River Band, among others, followed by a dash of wistful '80s whiz kids like Sting, Richard Page, and Mark King on cuts like "Becomes So Dark" and "The Pleasant Kind." Clearly the man is a musical omnivore who has learned his lessons well, yet his too-smart-to-be-wimpy songs don't sound like they belong anywhere other than in the present, pulsing out of the stereo with the restorative powers of a hot bath after a day cutting cane in the fields. A few more intuitive artist-scholars of Matthews' stature would sure help me to make it through endless stacks of Collective Soul, 7 Mary 3, Reef, and other such no-brained nonsense. --John Chandler
"Let's get this straight - this is one of the best albums of the 90's from a MAJOR talent. And fans of Left Banke style melodicism will swoon to Matthews' superlative Baroque songwriting/compositional mastery and sensibility: he is the true inheritor of their worthy heritage. Vocally Matthews is reminiscent of Colin Blunstone: breathy, fey and with a subtle, sensual delivery quite unique: I would suggest widely unrecognised as one of the finest vocal stylists in contemporary pop. He is not yet another doom laden, self indulgent, brooding navel gazer: indeed the lyrical content is too enigmatic to be merely contemplative though driven by the courage of Matthews' convictions. There is a craftsmanship and maturity here all too lacking amongst what might be considered his contemporaries, though this is not to suggest any lack of vivacity or exuberance to his material. This is seriously life enhancing pop magic, if of a darker hue than the orchestrated 60's school, such as Mystery Tour Beatles, the Banke or the Zombies, which informs it. You also get to hear wonderfully clanging electric rhythm guitars and some exquisite post Richard Lloyd guitar solos. And if you want to hear the most sublime, understated trumpet [another of Matthews' talents] blown to make Miles Davis proud, look no further. Of the 2 albums this is the most consistently strong, songwriting wise, though his debut 'It's Heavy In Here' is worth buying merely for his killer pop opus 'Fanfare', a glorious 'Penny Lane' styled modern classic."
Dark, Tortured, Beautiful
ooshie | North of Crazy | 10/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Coming out of the weakest decade of pop music ever, this record should shock anyone in search of great songwriting. Maybe after the current artistic hangover ends, Eric will be recognized as one of the most beautiful songwriters alive. Unfortunately, by the time people realize his greatness, he'll probably be old and broken. Or dead. This record is up there with Richard Davies-There's Never Been A Crowd Like This, Supergrass-In It For The Money, Tahiti 80-Puzzle, and Oasis-(What's the Story) Morning Glory?. If Eric's third record is ever released, it will be better than all of those."
An Amazing Album
Waterbug | desperate for good music | 06/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If only radio stations played material of this caliber, perhaps REAL talent would have a chance of being celebrated... This disc is worth buying for the song "Morning Parade" alone. I've played that song (and the whole disc) so many times I've lost count and I still never tire of it. When is the last time anyone can say that of a contemporary artist? If only we knew when his next record would come out - We're waiting!"
One of the best Psych Pop Releases of the 90's
ooshie | 06/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The track "Everything So Real" gives me chills down my spine. For me, that's about all it really takes, but the rest of the CD is great also. One of the only CD's I've purchased after reading glowing reviews, and not been dissapointed. If you like Roxy Music, Love, The Church, XTC, or Robyn Hitchcock, Get IT!Mike B."