I’m sad and slightly ashamed to admit that Matt Bauer hasn’t been on my musical radar in the past few years. Despite his release of two well-received albums (The Island Moved In The Storm and The Jessamine County Book Of The Living), I was never privy to the unique brand of orchestral pop Bauer has to offer.
No Shape Can Hold Me Now is a short collection of songs, but giving a listen to the album in its entirety feels like a long journey that ends in a familiar place that is simultaneously unfamiliar. Bauer recorded the album over the course of a little more than a year, during which he had no permanent home. He criss-crossed the country, splitting time between Brooklyn, Arkansas, San Francisco and his home state, Kentucky. What came out of this journey is a deeply personal and exquisite work of art.
From his breathy, at times raspy, voice to the orchestral background elements that add layer upon layer of complexity to what might be seen as a very bare album. It’s the unapologetic minimalism that makes the album resonate so beautifully.
In “Andaman Sea,” which features Jolie Holland on vocals, Bauer meditates on the idea of losing time and place while crossing the International Dateline on a plane. Bauer uses call-and-response song structure to add to the disorientation he sings about, letting Holland’s voice complete his disconnected thoughts. Their voices blend and harmonize so well that I hope they consider collaborating more in the future.
“Mangroves” is an entirely instrumental track that serves as an intermission of sorts to the album. It’s so well composed that I enjoy it despite the absence of Bauer’s vocals. That’s not an easy thing to do!
“Tonight We Get To Sing Our Songs” is by far the best track on the album. In the song, Bauer speaks of wandering a strange town before a gig. In his observations of the residents of the town, Bauer explores the feelings of being on the road- the loneliness and otherworldliness of being somewhere different every night. The song is brooding without being depressing; heartfelt without being corny. It also features Jolie Holland on vocals, which adds yet another element of beauty.
No Shape Can Hold Me Now is worth your time, especially if you’re into dreamy, orchestral pop. The album will be released on October 23rd via Crossbill Records.
Check out the video for “Andaman Sea:”
Below are Matt’s upcoming tour dates:
10.13.12 – Davis, CA @ Sophia’s with Sea of Bees and Jake Mann
10.17.12 – Sacramento, CA @ Bows & Arrows
10.18.12 – Modesto, CA @ Deva Cafe
10.19.12 – Nevada City, CA @ St. Joseph’s Cultural Center w/ Little Wings
10.20.12 – San Francisco, CA @ Viracocha (Release Party)
10.25.12 – Portland, OR @ Laurelthirst w/ Mike Coykendall & The Golden Shag
10.26.12 – Seattle, WA @ House Show – RSVP to mattbauermusic@gmail.com
11.03.12 – San Francisco, CA @ Ghost Mansion
Latest posts by Liz Livengood (see all)
- Sophie Barker Live At Mississippi Studios In Portland - November 9, 2012
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- Album Review: Matt Bauer, No Shape Can Hold Me Now - October 15, 2012
