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Grand - Matt & Kim

AMG Review

"I'm feeling restless; don't slow down!" advises Matt Johnson during Grand, the hyperkinetic follow-up to Matt & Kim's hyperkinetic debut. Grand makes good use of that advice, sandwiching 11 songs into a half-hour blast of snare hits and bouncing, buzzing synthesizer riffs. Johnson handles the bulk of the vocal duties, singing every song in a nasal, nerd-chic tenor while overdubbing his own harmonies. Yet it's the chemistry between Johnson and his partner, drummer Kim Schifino, that largely fuels the band's energy, even if Schifino's presence is somewhat muted by the album's beefed-up production (which polishes her wild percussion into tight, precise beats -- not necessarily a poor decision, but far from representative of her live musicianship). Building off the template established by the band's debut, Matt & Kim aim for the middle point between sugared melody and punked-out swagger, making room for flourishes of stomp-clap percussion, dancefloor electronics, and jingle-worthy progressions. Grand isn't as majestic as its name suggests, with only a handful of songs moving past the anxious minimalism that permeated the last album. For returning fans, though, Grand provides a familiar brand of punk music for happy people, for lovebirds, for those who wish Mates of State had more swagger and less glockenspiel. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide

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Matt & Kim (3 Albums)

  • Grand
  • Matt & Kim
  • Sidewalks
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