City of Black and White - Pop/Rock
Before we get into this review, you should know that Mat Kearney’s breakout album, Nothing Left to Lose, was one of our favorites of 2007. When we saw the new Kearney album, City of Black and White, was scheduled to release May 19, we were excited. Unfortunately, upon first listen we couldn’t help but feel that City of Black and White lacked the raw, driving dynamic that so endeared us to Kearney’s music. Where Nothing Left to Lose was a moving combination of anthemic, introspective, and urban elements that seemed both fresh and familiar, the latest batch of songs falls just short. Kearney certainly hasn’t lost his sense of melody or his way with words, it’s the other stuff—the booming drums, big choruses, and hip-hop verses—that we miss.
We don’t mean all that to say that City of Black and White is devoid of good songs. The first two songs, “All I Have” and “Fire and Rain,” establish a solid tone for the album. The last two songs, “On and On” and “City of Black and White,” are beautiful, acoustic-driven numbers. In between, there are some standouts such as “New York to California” and “Never Be Ready,” but they aren’t enough to make City as memorable as its predecessor. At its best, the album compels you to sing along and smile as the music strikes a chord somewhere inside you. At other times, the listener is left waiting for epic turn that never arrives.
Mat Kearney is a special talent—there’s no question about that. But for us, his latest release doesn’t feature the same weight, the same intensity, as his earlier work. In the end, Kearney still ranks among our favorite artists and City of Black and White is deserving of a listen. If you’re like us, you’ll find a lot to like about the album while wondering if it could’ve been more. If you’re not like us, you’ll love the album and dismiss us as total hacks (not that we’d blame you).
Official Site:
www.matkearney.com
Our Rating:
