Matt Hires
Heartache Machine
Reviewed by: Jane Roser
The title track to Matt Hires’ new EP is what I like to call a clever contradiction. It speaks of heartache, for sure, and the imagery of “blood on the track, I don’t wanna go back” is both melancholy and horrific. But, the melody is toe-tappingly happy and the accompanying clapping sounds like the coolest party in town.
Produced by Matt Hires, Jeremiah John Dunlap and Kyle Cox and recorded at Emissary Studios in Orlando, Florida, Heartache Machine is being independently released today as a follow up to Hires’ 2013 full-length album, This World Won’t Last Forever, But Tonight We Can Pretend. This was the first time I’d listened to Hires and I loved his clever, honest lyrics and richly textured voice which reminded me a bit of Greg Laswell, Matt Kearney and Jason Walker all rolled into one fine lean, mean singing machine.
“I Know, I Know” was my favorite track out of the four and the lyrics are a Tom Waits kind of poetic: “It’s a heavy fall, alcohol, and oceans of shame. I’m damned if I stay and I’m damned if I don’t. In a heartbreak parade, we end up alone. So call me a liar and hang up the phone.” See? That’s what I call just the right amount of all Hell Breaking Luce.
Rating: Bad-Ass
