[Best New Music]
I picked up Good Luck’s Into Lake Griffy on the recommendations of several people who gave the band rave reviews. However, this is an album that really took its precious time making an impression on me. But, the more I listened to it the more I realized why that was the case. I think I was expecting a great pop/punk record and instead what I got was a damn pop/punk opera. When talking to Ian from Cheap Girls about this record I think he put it best when he said “it’s so accessible that you want to consider it a great pop punk record but there’s that insane fingertapping guitar, dual vocals, etc. it’s definitely unique.” He’s right too, the dynamics of the record are absolutely incredible. And the musicianship is just off the charts. So, those pre-conceived notions of Good Luck simply being a great pop/punk band are shattered while you listen in awe.
Good Luck is Matt Tobey from Matty Pop Chart/Abe Froman, Ginger Alford of One Reason and Mike Harpring of Body Hammer. Matt Tobey has a quirky, intriguing way of telling his stories. If you know him from Matty Pop Chart, then you probably know exactly what I am talking about. If not, imagine the endearing quality of say, John K. Samson of The Weakerthans or John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. Lyrically and vocally, Tobey compares favorably to the two songwriting stalwarts. Just think more direct and more nasal. However, the unsung hero of the record might just be bassist Ginger Alford. Besides her booming bass lines, Tobey and Alford split most of the vocals as well. Alford also writes lyrics for four songs on Into Lake Griffy. There is a wonderful give and take chemistry between the two. To me, that is what propels Good Luck above Tobey’s work in Matty Pop Chart. Tobey and Alford strike a perfect balance on Into Lake Griffy and it pushes the album beyond boundaries as simple as pop punk.
I’m not sure what the future holds for Good Luck. Right now it seems the band is full steam ahead and if this record is any indication one would certainly hope they continue. Another highlight is the packaging as this self-released album matches the thought and care of the music just as much. Into Lake Griffy showcases all that is right with DIY music from head to toe.
Genre: Indie/Pop/Punk
RIYL: Matty Pop Chart, The Weakerthans, The Mountain Goats
Label: Self-Released
How To Live Here
01%20How%20To%20Live%20Here.mp3
Sleep With No Bad Dreams
10%20Sleep%20With%20No%20Bad%20Dreams.mp3
www.myspace.com/wearegoodluck
Matt Morrell is a singer/songwriter who I have gotten to know and enjoy chatting with on that evil site called Twitter. Evette is Morrell’s new album and is wonderfully disjointed (like the cover art) as Morrell seemingly explores every facet of his diverse songwriting. Song by song goes by as Morrell moves in and out of genre classifications with ease. I prefer songs like “Evette” that are quirky and offer bare, intimate arrangements reminiscent of The Mountain Goats or even Matty Pop Chart. “Old Black Car” and “Sharks & Oligarchs” are rustic in their Americana/pop approach and occupy Rhett Miller/Old 97’s style territory. Morrell forges an endearing innocence as he weaves his interesting tales. What should be greatly appreciated about Morrell’s songwriting on Evette is the utter lack of pretension here. You never get the feeling that Morrell is moving in any sort of false direction. Instead Morrell is letting the songs take him wherever they may go. You would be surprised how rare that is to hear these days. Morrell’s songs drift along naturally and Evette is more successful than not because of just that.
