CD Review

Artist: Matt Costa

Album Title: Unfamiliar Faces

Label: January 30^th 2008

Released: Brushfire/Universal Music

4 ½ Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Matt Costa's sophomore effort Unfamiliar Faces is easy to categorize, as it manages to blend differing styles of music, but it is definitively a sophisticated album of music. From the first single ‘Mr. Pitiful' an up tempo song that is both playful and edgy, you know you have pure gold on your hands. Slip Costa's Unfamiliar Faces on your CD shelf, or IPod playlist, alongside Coldplay, Mika and the venerable Paul McCartney, as Costa has etched a well deserved position on that shelf.

All of Unfamiliar Faces is memorable, from one track to another, Costa's blend of folk-pop and catchy melody, laced with strong guitar or piano driven songs is a mature and intelligent collection of well-capsulized tracks. Even though Costa heralds from California, I was struck by his vocals, as he sounds almost British at times and definitely has captured a British style of rock-folk-pop triad that is simply music to ones ears. Lots of 1960s influence from Costa, but with enough disillusionment in the lyrics to be relevant for a present day audience. Songs like ‘Never Looking Back' rings of Oasis, but has enough of a personal touch by Costa (including a belting harmonica section) to make the track completely his own. Costa's tracks easily tell you the musical paths he's listened to, but like a true talent, Costa keeps those influences as simply that.

Each track on Unfamiliar Faces brings a more sophisticated sound and complex style, and yet Costa keeps his songs clean, not convoluting the tracks with more than is necessary. Costa appears to make simple folk songs textured and full of life. Songs like ‘Vienna,' is a beautiful ballad that rings of simpler times and nostalgia. Even the title track of the album ‘Unfamiliar Faces' has its own flavour with a beautiful homage to old jazz of the 1920s at the end, which appears to be a complete departure to the rest of the song, and yet not out of place in the slightest.

Perhaps the most disturbing factor to Costa's talent is that he is only 25 years old. Costa is the guy who skateboarded all day before, to, and after school; where did all this grown-up, hyper-established sound come from? Did he sequester himself away in his room for hours on end and intensely educate himself on enough good music for his future career? Whatever way Costa discovered the inner musical sophisticate inside, with songs like ‘Bound,' which are forceful, poetic and a melting of haunting violin, bolshy piano, bluesy beat and vocals, its well worth admitting we are glad he found his inner musical savant.

Compared to Costa's first album Songs We Sing, which mirrored Brushfire Label owner Jack Johnson's own style, this second album, although also produced by Brushfire, is all Matt Costa's own distinct sound. I predict more great music from Costa for many years to come.

1. Mr. Pitiful
2. Lilacs
3. Never Looking Back
4. Emergency Call
5. Vienna
6. Unfamiliar Faces
7. Cigarette Eyes
8. Downfall
9. Trying To Lose My Mind
10. Bound
11. Heart Of Stone
12. Miss Magnolia

European bonus track:
13. Lovin'