Who doesn’t like Singer-Songwriter music? However I’d bet not all hands go up in the air. I mean, while Singer-Songwriter, which by the way kind of emerges in the late 60’s and 70’s with the arrival of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Elton John and Billy Joel, represented a close and personal artistic snapshot from the artist in question. The music tended to be at times gripping and powerful. Many feel the Singer-Songwriter sound has lost it’s way evolving into overly commercialized, highly corporate songs that do a better job at getting under your skin rather than pour into your heart. So having said this Singer-Songwriter might not be your first and foremost musical choice nowadays. Despite this introduction most music fans can’t deny getting into a good poppy groove every now and then and really enjoy well written music within this style from time to time. You know bands like: Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Nimegeers/294031483968798
The latest release by Canadian Matthew Nimegeers slid across my desk entitled interestingly enough Mystery Man Against The Tide. I must admit I yawned expecting the typical Jack Johnson John Mayer music conventions — only to be blown away with what I heard. Mystery Man Against The Tide is an exceptional music and multi-dimensional to say the least. The music itself is uplifting, thought provoking, interesting and overly eccentric (in a good way). It also however possesses an Alternative Rock core breaking the traditional mold for Singer-Songwriter style of music. Does all of this sound a bit over the top to you? Just listen to marquee tracks like “Daddy Long Legs”, “On My Feet Again” and “Coming Back to Me” and you’ll see my perspective. I got hooked on Matthew Nimegeers right away after hearing the first few moments of Track 1 “Against The Ride.” In my own words Nimegeers performs, writes and records in a unique hybrid style that fuses the rhythms of America with rock melodies and a lyrical sense of humor. The result is his unique style fusing Americana rhythms and sounds with short, humorous stories — a life’s opus if you will for an increasingly busy age that ask us to examine the world in a fresh light. I hate to pigeonhole but if you like The Wildflowers, Robbie Williams, Counting Crows, Rusted Root, Hootie and the Blowfish you will like the music of Matthew Nimegeers. I can also hear Mark Knopfler, Tindersticks, Tim Buckley and Adam Cohen.
My Top Pick: Daddy Long Legs
The main focus of this genre of music is generally the personality of the artist, here Nimegeers wins you over without even trying. The amazing lyrical content never feels like an afterthought. What’s more the vocal work and impeccable songwriting that really brings it all together. All in all it’s a powerful combination that puts a guy like Nimegeers on the map for 2013. He should go a long way towards proving that real music is still alive and well.
Official Rating: 7.5/10
Braden Manning edited by Joshua Beach
Review Comments: joshuabeach9@gmail.com
