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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There's been a fair wait for this, Scott Matthews' second album, and it's set to surprise some fans of the first album as, although the songwriting is at least as good and at times more mature than on his debut 'Passing Stranger', the mood is markedly different. To a large extent the eclectic and occasionally hippy-ish vibe of the first album is gone, and instead we have more of an introspective tone, at times world-weary and bitter.
This is an old fashioned album, in the sense that it's a mood piece and is not trying to be a radio-friendly unit shifter. It's an album that richly rewards repeated listens, as the sophisticated and subtle melodies reveal themselves. Much of it is very beautiful indeed. The decent first single 'Fractured' is, for my money, the weakest track on the album, while the astonishing 'Up On the Hill' is perhaps the finest thing he's ever written.
Lyrically too, there has been a leap forward. Where his lyrics were once consistent with the odd great couplet, there are now several superb sets of song lyrics. Overall, he seems to have found his own groove, with those often name-checked influences merely a slight and subtle part of the tapestry, serving something altogether more unique.
Absolutely spellbinding live, too.
This is an old fashioned album, in the sense that it's a mood piece and is not trying to be a radio-friendly unit shifter. It's an album that richly rewards repeated listens, as the sophisticated and subtle melodies reveal themselves. Much of it is very beautiful indeed. The decent first single 'Fractured' is, for my money, the weakest track on the album, while the astonishing 'Up On the Hill' is perhaps the finest thing he's ever written.
Lyrically too, there has been a leap forward. Where his lyrics were once consistent with the odd great couplet, there are now several superb sets of song lyrics. Overall, he seems to have found his own groove, with those often name-checked influences merely a slight and subtle part of the tapestry, serving something altogether more unique.
Absolutely spellbinding live, too.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've read a lot of reviews of this album, which i bought purely on faith earnt by the excellence of his first record. Again and again comes the comment that all the songs merge into one and none really grab you enough to really want you to listen again. And it's true. At least, it is unless you give it more of a chance than you might most other albums.
Rarely do i fall in love with a song first time around, but after 5 listens or so, nothing stood out, i couldn't remember a single track etc etc. Then, just at the point of giving up, '12 Harps' appeared from the gloom. A truly beautiful song once you connect with it - incredible vocal harmonies and the delicacy of it is just paralyzing. Back in the game, suddenly i was totally hooked by the raw 'Nothing's Quite Right Here' - how i missed it the first 5 or 6 times is a mystery. Then came 'Jagged Melody' and with it, the flood gates.
The beauty of this album, for me, is a much more personal, introspective and melancholic beauty, as opposed to the brighter, hit-laden tour de force that was Passing Stranger. I'm not going to say i prefer it, but they're almost too different to compare.
Now on listen 11 or 12 and there's only really 'Fractured' and 'Into the Firing Line' that don't impress me. He doesn't always seem to keep to the central tune that allows you to pick up a song. He jumps around and it can sometimes feel a bit wragged. Hence the feeling that they're all merging and you can't remember them. But stick with it - some breathtaking stuff here...
Rarely do i fall in love with a song first time around, but after 5 listens or so, nothing stood out, i couldn't remember a single track etc etc. Then, just at the point of giving up, '12 Harps' appeared from the gloom. A truly beautiful song once you connect with it - incredible vocal harmonies and the delicacy of it is just paralyzing. Back in the game, suddenly i was totally hooked by the raw 'Nothing's Quite Right Here' - how i missed it the first 5 or 6 times is a mystery. Then came 'Jagged Melody' and with it, the flood gates.
The beauty of this album, for me, is a much more personal, introspective and melancholic beauty, as opposed to the brighter, hit-laden tour de force that was Passing Stranger. I'm not going to say i prefer it, but they're almost too different to compare.
Now on listen 11 or 12 and there's only really 'Fractured' and 'Into the Firing Line' that don't impress me. He doesn't always seem to keep to the central tune that allows you to pick up a song. He jumps around and it can sometimes feel a bit wragged. Hence the feeling that they're all merging and you can't remember them. But stick with it - some breathtaking stuff here...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Scott Matthews' debut album was always going to be a tough act to follow, but with "Elsewhere", I'm in no doubt that he has more than equalled his breakthrough album, being a darker, more mature and ultimately more satisfying follow-up. With a knack for writing songs which would fit onto any Nick Drake album and yet delivering them like a more the tortured love child of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Buckley, Matthews' performance of these tracks alone is enough to make this album remarkable, but the depth and meaning of the work is what really makes this release a real gem. The first track, "Underlying Lies" is an absolutely magnificent composition, starting subtly and building to it's string-laden, spine-tingling climax, with lyrics echoing the bitterness of betrayal. "Jagged Melody" is devastatingly beautiful, a song seemingly composed for someone who is suffering from depression. "Fractured" is another brilliant song on the same theme, with Matthews displaying the strain of having to pull someone out of the mire. The sublime "12 Harps" finds Matthews duetting with fellow Black Country legend Robert Plant with gorgeously emotive results.
Another undoubted highlight of the album is "Speeding Slowly", the story of a disintegrating relationship which, musically, reminds me a little of Pearl Jam at their melodic best. "Into The Firing Line" is probably the most commercial track on the whole release, but it is still a very classy and thoughtful song which tackles armchair supporters of military action. The sadly longing "Up On The Hill" also hits an emotional chord and reminds me of the late, great Elliott Smith, whereas the regretful, folk-tinted "Fades In Vain" could be one of Boo Hewerdine's recent pieces of excellence. This superb album is concluded by the delicate strains of "Nothing's Quite Right Here", a beautiful ending to a brilliant piece of work.
It is certainly true that "Elsewhere" is a melancholy album which covers many introspective, difficult subjects which some people will find difficult to deal with. It is also true that you will not reveal everything this album has to offer with one listen, it's way more intricate than that, but persistence has many rewards in the case of Matthews' second. Naturally, if your favourite artist is Mika or Mariah Carey then this album probably won't push your particular buttons. However, for those whose idea of artistry is hearing a beautifully sculpted, expressive collection of songs which encompass a wide range of human emotions, then Scott Matthews has made an incredible album which will most definitely appeal to you. One of the very best albums of the year.
Another undoubted highlight of the album is "Speeding Slowly", the story of a disintegrating relationship which, musically, reminds me a little of Pearl Jam at their melodic best. "Into The Firing Line" is probably the most commercial track on the whole release, but it is still a very classy and thoughtful song which tackles armchair supporters of military action. The sadly longing "Up On The Hill" also hits an emotional chord and reminds me of the late, great Elliott Smith, whereas the regretful, folk-tinted "Fades In Vain" could be one of Boo Hewerdine's recent pieces of excellence. This superb album is concluded by the delicate strains of "Nothing's Quite Right Here", a beautiful ending to a brilliant piece of work.
It is certainly true that "Elsewhere" is a melancholy album which covers many introspective, difficult subjects which some people will find difficult to deal with. It is also true that you will not reveal everything this album has to offer with one listen, it's way more intricate than that, but persistence has many rewards in the case of Matthews' second. Naturally, if your favourite artist is Mika or Mariah Carey then this album probably won't push your particular buttons. However, for those whose idea of artistry is hearing a beautifully sculpted, expressive collection of songs which encompass a wide range of human emotions, then Scott Matthews has made an incredible album which will most definitely appeal to you. One of the very best albums of the year.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Outstanding
This is a truly outstanding album- the quality of the songwriting is absolutely incredible and Scott Matthews vocals are sublime. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. P. D. Bridges
A beautifully crafted album
Scott Matthews is a different type of singer/ songwriter, an all inclusive term that tends to describe a wimpy guitar hugger who plods out some terrible ballads and equally... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Franklin
Subtle and Beguiling...
Listening to this album bring home how much Scott Matthews loves music. A better and more realised work than his first album this is a crafted and layered album with the music here... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by D. L. Young
An outstanding record.
I believe I was very much in the minority with respect to Scott Matthews' first album, Passing Stranger. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by booler
A Gem of a CD
I had been recommended this CD via a review in THE WEEK publication - so thought would give it a try. Exxcellent - moody music. Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2009 by G. Abel
Difficult follow up
From a personal perspective, I absolutely adored every track on the first album, so was very excited to hear the follow up offering. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2009 by P. Stevens
Melancholy Becomes Him
Mr Matthew is not a happy bunny.
As much as I occasionally wanted to shout :
"Come on son, cheer up, things aren't so bad ! Read more
As much as I occasionally wanted to shout :
"Come on son, cheer up, things aren't so bad ! Read more
Published on 27 July 2009 by The Wolf
Stop Comparing Scott Mathews to Jeff Buckley or Nick Drake
For those that wish to continue comparing Scott Matthews to Nick Drake then carry on but really there has to be a time when Scott Mathhews is recoginsed for the talent that he is... Read more
Published on 4 July 2009 by Mr. Richard Mitchell
Darker and less immediate.
After his tremendous debut it was always going to be difficult to follow up and so this proves to be the case with Elsewhere. Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by K. Johnston
scott matthews:elsewhere
No where near as chirpy as his last album,think he might have been ditched by his missus since the last album
Published on 2 July 2009 by Nicholas Warren
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