"This is an unusually good album, overflowing with great songwriting, solid arrangements and, of course, that voice. In fact, it is the quality of the material that sets this collection apart from the rest in Iain's illustrious career. He manages to combine the topical with the personal, the familiar without being plagiaristic. All of these songs resonate and ring true, and even the topical ones avoid a preachy tone. Just check out Living in Reverse, or Back of the Bus. This disc is worth picking up for those two alone, but it also has a wonderful Miles Davis tribute song God's Empty Chair. And The Ties We break is one you'll be playing over and over again.You should definitely buy this disc if you've never heard of Iain Matthews before. Actually, get two-one for the house and one to keep in your glove box. You'll never want to take a long trip without it again."
Great songs Perfect Performances
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 09/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Read the words of the three other reviewers of this CD, they all got it right. This is a 5 star disk, by a great over-looked talent.
Iain, hit a homer on this one: "Jumping Off the Roof ", "Back of the Bus ", " The Ties We Break ", " Compass & Chart ", "Timing" and the closer " Living in Reverse ", are all fantastic tunes with intelligent lyrics. This CD came out when Iain was still living in Texas, and contains lots of dorbo and steel guitars, but these songs sound just as perfect when he performs them with just an acoustic Guitar and his voice in concert.
If you know of the man and his work, pick this one up today as these CD's go in and out of print every other day. If you have never heard of this guy, go out and thank whoever or whatever got you here and purchase "Skeleton Keys " , then go look for the other (Over 60) releases from this brillant artist.
Note for Iain: PLEASE RETURN TO CALIFORNIA AND PERFORM !!! IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG."
Top of my list for Matthews favorites
Skip Ayers | Ct -- USA | 01/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This work is among his best. Great songs. It's the kind of recording where every time you play it, you have a new favorite cut. It's because they are all excellent compositions. Add it to your Matthews collection or get it as an introduction to this wonderful & overlooked talent. Enjoy!!!!!"
Iain's and Ian's Best
Brad Averill | Eugene, Oregon United States | 11/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not a whole lot of words are necessary for this one. Skeleton Keys is simply Iain or Ian's best. Meaning, spanning his whole career, this is his best. As always, Matthews' voice is simply the purest in folk/pop music. That is something consistent, every time. But the compositions on this one - all Matthews compositions - are excellent. And the musicianship is impeccable. It is as good as or better than Alison Kraus and Union Station. This CD is an absolute delight."
Miko was right
Brad Averill | 01/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was about to write a review, but Miko summed it up just fine. I agree with all he says. Thing is though, it really deserves 6 stars, not 5. You should see IM live too. Don't pass this or his other albums by. They are always a limited run, rarely reissued and get deleted long ahead of time!"