MATT COSTA

Unfamiliar Faces

2008-01-31

Matt Costa's "Unfamiliar Faces" runs the gamut of the usual singer/songwriter record. With backing band in tow, Mr. Costa does the usual straightforward "Acoustic Melody Pop" made popular by television shows like The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy. Sounding vocally like the male version of Erin McKeown, Matt glides over the "once again overlooked" talented backing band. I don't understand why there are so many records popping up named after the front man, while the more talented backing band is left to be identified only in the liner notes. With all twelve tracks sounding equally bland, it's hard to find a standout track here. If I were forced to choose, the opening track "Mr. Pitiful" would be my pick. With its herky-jerky piano beat, "Mr. Pitiful" provides just enough entertainment to keep the toes tapping. With another boring, yet well produced record added to the mountain of "popular" music, maybe "Mr. Pitiful" should not only be the opening track, but the title track as well.--Tim Warren

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 11/2010

    DONAVON FRANKENREITER
    GLOW

  • reviewed 03/2013

    EL SPORTIVO AND THE BLOOZ
    Nights and Weekends

  • reviewed 01/2009

    THE BIRD AND THE BEE
    Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

  • reviewed 06/2016

    Death From Above 1979
    Live at Third Man Records

  • reviewed 05/2011

    BLUEPRINT
    Adventures in Counter-Culture

  • reviewed 01/2015

    CLEAN AS DIRT
    They Will Remember Me

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.