Jonah Matranga is very much an underground icon, having released music as a member of the bands Far, New End Original and Gratitude, and alter-ego Onelinedrawing. This is Matranga’s first release as himself, although it is also a collaborative effort with other unsung heroes of the underground scene Ian Love (Rival Schools) and Sam Siegler (CIV, Rival Schools, Glassjaw) appearing (among other guests) on a number of songs.
The songs fall into 2 categories, up-tempo “guitar-pop”, such as the excellent “Not About A Girl Or A Place”, and gentler, traditional guitar-led singer-songwriter fare. Prime examples of the latter are “Fathers & Daughters” and the wonderful “Lost, Then Found” (which is probably the highlight of the album, but the song writing and performance across the whole album are consistently brilliant).
That said, there is more going on within the songs, with touches of piano, pedal steel guitar and organ at times adding an alt-country feel.
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The honest, introspective, often very personal and sometimes dryly funny lyrics about life and love have always been a feature of Matranga's songs. While they were often delivered as impassioned shrieks and screams during his days in Far, here they are delivered with no less with conviction by Matranga’s distinctive SINGING voice.
“And” should finally give Jonah Matranga the wider recognition as a singer-songwriter he has deserved for many years.
Enormously recommended. Buy it and everything else he has ever had a hand in creating.
Visit www.jonahmatranga.com
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