Very rarely do bands come forth with such a vibrant energy and intensity that defines the essence of whom they are and what they set out to accomplish. With tracks like “The Weekend War” and “One Step at a Time”, The Matt Burke Band do just that. “The Weekend War” has a very tropical feel to it that makes the dreary days of autumn melt away. Despite the track’s tropical-shirt feel, there is a fire present in the vocals that has not been heard since the days of The Wallflowers. “One Step at a Time” showcases a falsetto that is half Jack Black, half Jason Mraz. Alongside these vocals, there is a solid foundation of the aforementioned funk and rock that belies a much more detailed and intricate arrangement underneath.
“White Collar Blues” has a more sedate sound to it than most of the tracks on “Pretty Close To Very Good”, but has The Matt Burke Band take on a different feel to great success. The narrative style of the track comes into view nicely, with guitars and drums entering to the equation at all of the right points.
It is not only the introductory salvos that will affect listeners, either. Take the penultimate track, “Another Sad Song”. “Another Sad Song” continues the same desire to innovate and change listeners’ perceptions that has been the norm for the Matt Burke Band on the whole of this album. With a more blues-laced feel to the track, “Another Sad Sang” goes into the realm of Kenny Wayne Shepherd or even Chris Cornell’s solo work.
“Pretty Close To Very Good” is an album that has a cohesive and cogent sound to it without having the band tread the same aural space over and over. Each track here has a different array of influences and styles, allowing the act to full stretch their wings by the end of “The Ride”. If you would like your music to really make you think while sounding absolutely fantastic, this may just be the album for you.
Top Tracks: The Weekend War, One Step at a Time
Rating: 8.6/10
The Matt Burke Band – Pretty Close To Very Good / 2010 Self / 10 Tracks / http://www.mattburkeband.com / http://www.facebook.com/mattburkemusic