CHOOSE CAREFULLY: A quick poll, because I want to take the nation's temperature on this. Matt Costa: endearingly understated indie folkster or insufferably saccharine cheeseball?
His 2006 album (the first time I was exposed to him): endearing. 2008 album (from which Mr. Pitiful comes): heading more toward cheeseball. His 2006 album was quite a bit less precious for my taste. "Cold December" or "These Arms" or tracks like that are far less cheeseball for my taste.
Video was cheeseball, but just listening to him he's more whiney than endearingly understated. Also sounds a bit like a more feminine Feist. In the male acoustic folkie genre, I've recently become a fan of The Tallest Man on Earth -- listen to King of Spain. With that nasally voice I've read a lot of reviews comparing him to Dylan. For me, his style of playing and even his lyrics evokes more of a Richard Thompson feel. Especially the intro to "King of Spain," which has 1952 Vincent Black Lightning all over it.
What prompted the question is "Astair" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4CfS4UNukk), which seems to me to be right exactly on the line. It's a great melody, but almost too precious. I could see getting really annoyed with it if I heard it too many times, or if I heard it just once coming from the passing car of some high school girls. Then again, they used it on Chuck a month or two ago, and those folks have some pretty good instincts for whether something is going to sound embarrassing in a few weeks.
I downloaded Astair after it played on Chuck---sampled the rest of the music and just went for Astair. As part of a mix, it works fine. [I actually managed to delete the latest playlist and had to rebuild it today, and consciously kept Astair on there.]
Cold December, New Hampshire, and Astair are probably his best songs. the 2006 album is solid however I'd agree with everyone else and stay away from his newer songs
Aw man I was out of town and missed this discussion, but my two cents: too cheesy to include on a mix for a hipster friend, but enjoyable enough in small doses.
Ps Bill-- Also just discovered The Tallest Man on Earth. Like like like a lot.
Is "Never Heard of Him" an acceptable option?
ReplyDeleteWhat Eric said.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of him, but first hit on YouTube ("Mr. Pitiful") indicates a close call, but a lean toward "cheeseball."
ReplyDeleteHis 2006 album (the first time I was exposed to him): endearing. 2008 album (from which Mr. Pitiful comes): heading more toward cheeseball. His 2006 album was quite a bit less precious for my taste. "Cold December" or "These Arms" or tracks like that are far less cheeseball for my taste.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of him, either, but based on your post I'm going to assume the latter until proven otherwise.
ReplyDeleteSame as Emily.
ReplyDeleteSame as Emily. I have a low tolerance for saccharine.
ReplyDeleteWho? is my first response. Now I will check Youtube for the snap judgement portion of the competition.
ReplyDeleteVideo was cheeseball, but just listening to him he's more whiney than endearingly understated. Also sounds a bit like a more feminine Feist. In the male acoustic folkie genre, I've recently become a fan of The Tallest Man on Earth -- listen to King of Spain. With that nasally voice I've read a lot of reviews comparing him to Dylan. For me, his style of playing and even his lyrics evokes more of a Richard Thompson feel. Especially the intro to "King of Spain," which has 1952 Vincent Black Lightning all over it.
ReplyDeleteWhat prompted the question is "Astair" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4CfS4UNukk), which seems to me to be right exactly on the line. It's a great melody, but almost too precious. I could see getting really annoyed with it if I heard it too many times, or if I heard it just once coming from the passing car of some high school girls. Then again, they used it on Chuck a month or two ago, and those folks have some pretty good instincts for whether something is going to sound embarrassing in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with this.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded Astair after it played on Chuck---sampled the rest of the music and just went for Astair. As part of a mix, it works fine. [I actually managed to delete the latest playlist and had to rebuild it today, and consciously kept Astair on there.]
ReplyDelete100% agree with patricia-- old stuff was great
ReplyDeleteHaven't really listened to the newer stuff too much as it does sway into cheesey territory
Cold December, New Hampshire, and Astair are probably his best songs. the 2006 album is solid however I'd agree with everyone else and stay away from his newer songs
ReplyDeleteAw man I was out of town and missed this discussion, but my two cents: too cheesy to include on a mix for a hipster friend, but enjoyable enough in small doses.
ReplyDeletePs Bill-- Also just discovered The Tallest Man on Earth. Like like like a lot.