Eric Matthews – Foundation Sounds
Eric Matthews recorded his latest album entirely himself; in keeping with his previous three, it’s filled with classically appointed pop, a grand sweep of lush, romantic, and regal songs. Less orchestrated than its predecessors, Foundation Sounds sticks closer to rock combo arrangements, with thoughtful filigree coming in the form of Matthews’ brass and woodwind playing. At seventeen songs and nearly seventy minutes, it’s a bit overloaded; the rich subtleties all start to blur into a cake with too much icing. The most glaring problem, though, is Matthews’ pompous liner notes. In an effort to place himself into a historical tradition by the force of his assertions, he’s thrown down a gauntlet that undermines his musical efforts, which make his case much more eloquently.