Matthew Walko- Glitter ‘n' Gold
EP Release
Artist: Matthew Walko
Label: Independent
Released: June 26^th, 2008

Reviewed by Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

Vancouver-bred singer-songwriter Matthew Walko's  brand new EP, *Glitter 'n' Gold - *a mix of retro influences ranging from the British Invasion, 60s Garage, Surf, and Motown - will transport you back in time to a '64 mustang convertible and gas at only 25 cents a gallon.

 
Glitter ‘n' Gold was recorded at Coquitlam's Tape Studio with Ryan Worseley (Maplewood Lane, DawnTreader, The Pale) in a matter of weeks, with Walko handling nearly all the instruments himself. He has a talent for picking out exactly the right sound for each song. "Glitter ‘n' Gold", the title track from the EP is a retro rock-dance tune about bank robbery, complete with horns, rockabilly guitars, 60s organ and some kick ass drum beats. "He Said, She Said (Techno Superstar)" mixes new school electronics with old school beach pop, and includes some perfectly placed canned drum loops in the chorus, and just a touch of vocoder toward the end. The EP ends on a soft note, with "Bonnie and Clyde", a slow ballad about a love that's almost over, with beautiful cello accompaniment that blends admirably with Walko's voice.

Matthew Walko not only has a genuine love for music, but also an eye on where music is headed. He's decided to make this EP available for free download on the internet through his MySpace and Facebook artist profiles. "When a tune is good - people talk," he writes on his blog. He continues: 

"That's the beauty of social media, we decide what we want to listen to and what gets passed around...so take my music. I sincerely hope you enjoy it. I hope that you pass it on to your friends. I hope that you dance to it in front of the mirror. I hope that you post it on your blog. I hope that you blast it out of your car. I hope you use it in your class project or indie film. I hope that it inspires you to make your own art."

The coming months should be busy for Matthew Walko. He will be filming a video for ‘Glitter ‘n' Gold' with Jonathan Giesbrecht of Vancouver's Exe Productions, expected to be available on YouTube mid July. He also plans on releasing a second EP of new material in the fall.  

You can catch Matthew Walko & the Usual Suspects at the Glitter ‘n' Gold EP release this Wednesday, June 25^th at the Roxy in Vancouver. The show starts at 8:00pm and it's FREE! Copies of the EP will be available for $5.
 

Track List:
Glitter ‘n' Gold
He Said, She Said (Techno Superstar)
Now That I've Found You
Bonnie and Clyde