This Living Room by Matt Larson

Larson accomplished all of this from the comfort of his own home. What a showoff.

A few of these tunes were able to catch my attention more than others. The first track, “In Distress She”, sounds a bit like some sort of long lost Maroon 5 b-side. Early Ben Folds Five seems to be getting channeled during “You Won’t Let Me Go,” the album’s second song. “Doubt” is probably one of the most infectious songs I have heard in a long time. I also quite enjoy the delicate banjo picking that flows throughout “Resolve.” Out of the album’s thirteen tracks there are only a couple that I do not really care for. I think that is pretty impressive coming from an independent artist.

Within my first few listens I came to the conclusion that the songs on This Living Room make for some great homework music. Some tunes are just mellow enough to play in the background while typing a research paper, and yet at the same time lively enough to put on the soundtrack to any road trip. I know that sounds like an odd combination, but it totally works.

Even though musically Larson does not break much new ground on This Living Room, his lyrics are still very heartfelt and original. His talent with multiple instruments is also undeniable. I have no doubt that his songs would ft in very well on mainstream radio stations alongside the likes of Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, or even Dave Matthews. Larson will actually be coming to FGCU towards the end of November, so consider this an early reminder to start marking your calendars.

The Collegian

October 25, 2006

By Isaiah Smith

CD Review

Tarrant County College

“Artist who controls all aspects of works to perform on NE”

Self-made artist Matt Larson brings This Living Room to NE Campus. Larson will appear live Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. in the NSTU cafeteria performing songs from both his latest CD and his debut album, 2001’s Elevator People.

“I’m passionate about learning and creating,” Larson said on www.sonicbids.com. “I’m also a broke indie-musician. Those two things lend themselves well to doing things yourself.”

Larson is not playing around when he says “by himself.” This Living Room was written, produced, engineered, and mixed by him. In addition, he is credited as vocalist and plays the acoustic and electric guitars, upright piano, classic banjo, mandolin, harmonica and bass. Now that is what I call an artist.

Even his Web site is self-maintained-www.myspace.com/swayd

This is high-quality music for an amateur without a label. I love the track “Something Missing.” Larson has a good tone on this track with a steady beat; it has a Keane and James Blunt ‘70s-soul feel.

“Righteous Virgin” is the best choice for a single. The strings, mixed with light, haunting vocals give a good rhythm to drive to; it is a great radio song.

Some tracks sound similar, but that is to be expected of inexperienced performers, so the familiar sound is forgivable.

One thing that adds charms is the dead, scratching air at the beginning or end of some tracks. It is so great to hear that grassroots music feel in the age of Clear Channel’s stranglehold on music through radio control.

This spunky spirit is well represented on “Resolve,” an upbeat track about an undeterred man finding his way into the heart of a girl. The whole not-giving-up thing is admirable in today’s ADD society.

The second best choice for a single is “The Mind Contention.” Some impressive vocals highlight this track; also he goes into his upper register without going into falsetto. The hook is a mind-bending, haunting chorus of “I will try” that is destined to get stuck in the heads of people all over the country.

Unfortunately, the odds are very small this will get a lot of airtime-a stupid lack of freedom of expression.

Larson is one of the first Myspace artists I have seen make a splash off of the Web site. Maybe this will start or help the trend of independent recording artists sticking it to the major labels.

This Living Room may not be coming to a radio station near you, but it is a really great album. I give it five stars.

Any artist who plays both the mandolin and the classic banjo on one album deserves kudos.

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