Album Reviews

- by Nate Hennon

Matt Pryor is one of my favorite songwriters. I loved his work in The Get Up Kids, which includes “The Guilt Show” and “On A Wire,” two TGUK albums that do not get enough praise. Also, I think how he put out a double album of both stripped down and fully produced songs on The New Amsterdams’s “Killed or Cured” is a musical achievement. I even bought two of his ‘music for kids’ albums when my son was born.

However, his solo work never really hit me. I was afraid Matt Pryor’s ‘Lennon-esque’ musical sensibilities would be too dark and depressing to listen to joyously. I was partially right, but also very wrong. Matt Pryor’s latest solo album, “Memento Mori,” is dark and rather depressing, but still a delight. Pryor does come across as bitter in most of his post-“Something to Write Home About” music, but the dude can write a song. “Memento Mori” is not upbeat, but ideal for a heartbreak or a lonely winter night. The apex of the album is “Stay.” It is mostly a dance between minimal piano and vocals, but the lyrics hit you hard in the tummy. These statements can be said about nearly every song on the 28-minute therapy session of grief and loss, but do not let these words push you away from this album. I recommend everyone listen to what Matt Pryor has to offer; maybe this will let him write one more fun song.

Maybe.

Track listing:

1. Mary
2. A Small Explosion
3. Sidney
4. I Won’t Be Afraid
5. Stay
6. Where Is Juan Carlos?
7. When We Go Wrong
8. Risk
9. Is This Home?
10. Virginia