Scott Matthews – Elsewhere

I saw Scott Matthews in concert twice in quick succession in 2005, each time supporting Vijay Kishore.

Whilst it was clear that Kishore’s voice was good enough to make every single hair on your body stand up in pure exhilaration, it was equally clear that he didn’t match the song writing and guitar playing talents of Matthews. I spoke with Matthew’s manager at the second gig about the upcoming album, Passing Stranger, asking him if it was going to be as stripped down as the live show. He was very keen to explain that the album would have a much bigger sound which wasn’t the answer I was hoping for and whilst Passing Stranger was a generally pleasing debut, it felt that Matthew’s greatest strength of a striking voice with delicately plucked guitar combo, was swamped with needlessly big arrangements and heavy handed production.

I’m sorry and disappointed to reveal that album number two, Elsewhere, does little to re-address these issues. Matthews still seems reluctant to keep tracks simple, needlessly adding layers to promising track openings. ‘Up on the Hill’ is a perfect case in point, starting with a sumptuous intro and an engaging vocal melody which frustratingly becomes less interesting and memorable as the bass builds, the backing chorus builds, the drums build until the song becomes what is essentially filler.

It would seem that Mr Matthews has had his heart broken since his debut as lyrically, there’s a more cynical edge to proceedings which is also evident by a few track titles such as ‘Underlying Lie’, ‘Fractured’ and ‘Nothing’s Quite Right Here’ and it’s in opener ‘Underlying Lie’ where this broken heart spits some venom, “Spare me your bullshit”. The album feels a little overly angsty because of this and jars slightly with the music though Matthews does throw in some moments of light with album highlights ‘Suddenly You Figure Out’, ‘12 Harps’ and title track ‘Elsewhere’.

Matthews has scored an impressive coup, getting in Robert Plant, hot from his well regarded collaboration with Alison Krauss, to duet on ‘12 Harps’. Their voices work well together and though the song veers closely to “are you going to Scarborough fair?” type folk, it has a real charm that pushes it forward as a stand out. ‘Elsewhere’ though is exactly what Scott Matthews is all about, it’s just a shame he doesn’t seem to realise it. Musically, lyrically and thematically it’s the gem in this slightly tarnished crown.

Elsewhere is not a bad album by any means but the adjectives that come to mind to summarise it are of the variety that just don’t cut the mustard in a review – it’s pleasant, it’s nice but sadly it’s also unremarkable and underwhelming. Hopefully, Scott Matthews will gain some more confidence in his own abilities for album number three and make a true solo album.