Whilst regularly making demos and working on other projects in the studio, it would be 2016 before the next Matt Joe Gow record, ‘Seven Years’, which was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for the Music Victoria Award for Best Country/Americana Album Of The Year. His first album was that of an unknown performer but by this time he was well-known on the live circuit as well, having appeared at many venues and festivals, and the confidence which was apparent on the first album had been taken to a new level here, as he moved his music into more melodic directions. It is safe to say that the track “Runnin’ On Time” is nothing short of a triumph, a country rock number which sounds as if it came out of the heart of the States, and undoubtedly if he was a known entity up there and got the correct publicity it would have topped the charts as it is infectious, polished, in your face and full of grit. Everything about this song is right, from his vocal asides to the harmony vocals, the layers of guitars, the touch of harmonica, the grooving beat. It is possible not to play this without smiling as it is simple good time, designed to get people up out of their chairs, clapping and dancing.
As any good musician knows, an album is all about pace and contrast and the following number is “Bottle It Up, Pass It On” which is packed full of emotion, much slower and deeper in all matters, with the harmonica solo almost breaking the hearts of those who hear it. While the debut album was powerful and dramatic, containing great songs, the intervening years have allowed Matt to hone his songs and understand what it is that he really wants to achieve. This has resulted in an album that embraces Country while bringing Americana, gospel, rock & roll, rock music, all with wonderful lyrics and arrangements which result in an album which for fans of the genre ahs it all. It certainly never sounds like a Kiwi living in Melbourne, as this is the real deal with a lightness of touch and a superb collection of material which has been deftly arranged.
Rating: 9/10
Links:
https://mattjoegowmusic.com/
