Matt Boroff...Alternative Rock That Changes Gears

Artist: Matt Boroff
Title: Matt Boroff
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Lo-End Records

Matt Boroff sounds like he believes in his music; he uncorks the emotional bottle that lives inside him in every song he sings. Ranging from soft and sneak-up-on-you subtlety like on the opener "Soft Sky" to in your face hard rockn’ twists and turns with the provocative "Onion Man" and the on the edge psychotic "Tightrope." His self-titled album is a killer alternative rock at its very best.

I especially enjoyed the lyrics to "Onion Man" …

He’s Got A Thousand Names
Behind A Thousand Doors
He Can Tell You Things
You Never Thought Before
But When You See His Face
You’ve Got To Understand
These Are The Layers of the Onion Man

I don’t normally quote lyrics unless they smack me right between the eyes, this song really grabbed me, and not just for the lyrical content, the music is excellent as well. It reminded me of peeling off the layers of the onion in reference to feelings and emotions, getting to the core of the truths that lie underneath all the layers of fortification we build to keep people and their energy out of our lives.

I certainly appreciate the tremendous variety offered by Boroff and his band on this CD. They prove to be worthy musicians. Little Konzett (drums) and Markus Bodenseh (upright & electric bass) give Boroff a vital foundation to build his guitar and vocals on.

They offer some heavy duty riffing while at the same time giving the listener the polar opposite, with understated mellow guitar licks backed by vocals to match. The switching back and forth from one atmosphere and mood to another kept me transfixed every moment, which is not an easy task mind you.

Matt Boroff has a very accessible sound that enables him to cross over into many age groups with several different musical tastes, although primarily, the alternative rock loving college crowd will gobble up this music. Well, after all, variety is the spice of life. These are the layers of a talented musician/singer, peel some off and try them on to see how they fit your life.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

May 22, 2004

Rating-8/10

Credits:

Matt Boroff - vocals, guitar

Little Konzett - drums

Markus Bodenseh - upright & electric bass

01. Soft Sky (4:10)
02. Onion Man (3:38)
03. Tightrope (3:25)
04. Everything Is Breaking Down (3:58)
05. You Don't Need It (3:52)
06. Take It Down (4:13)
07. Later Than It's Ever Been (3:32)
08. Touch (5:08)
09. Kontrol (5:00)
10. Believe in Every Flake (3:06)

Matt Boroff Website
Artist Website