Hospital Music

 

 

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This summer, there has been a string of particularly excellent 'rehab' albums. Wilco's 'Sky Blue Sky' saw Jeff Tweedy taking a lighter, apologetic approach as oppose to his brash experimental previous albums. As well, Ryan Adams found the consistency that won over many of his nay-sayers with June's amazing 'Easy Tiger'. And Matthew Good, who has recently come out and stated that he has been battling bi-polar disorder, has made an album that is earth-shattering, heartbreaking and purely incredible from start to finish.

Upon the first listen, I felt the first two minutes of the lengthy montage-riddled opener "Champions of Nothing" pretentious and even a bit tedious, which I felt didn't bode well for 'Hospital Music'. But looking back at Good's solo and band albums, he often uses these vices to portray political and human emotion; it's a part of his ever-growing, always-recognizeable repetoire. The most distinctive and beautiful part of this 'repetoire' is of course, his unique, gritty, emotion-filled voice which penetrates my heart so much that upon hearing many lines (too many to quote, in fact) on 'Hospital Music', sometimes I would feel my eyes close on their own, as I just tried to take in and accept the feelings he evoked inside of me.

Haunting. Gut-wrenching. Breathtaking. Any of those words perfectly describe the way 'Hospital Music' makes me feel on a very personal level. Perhaps because it is one of Good's most naked, personal albums to date. He shows everything, with nothing to hide and no shame or masking. Good proves himself yet again to be one of Canada's most revelant, most provokative, most individual, most emotive artists making music today. Although more known for his feuds with Chad Kroeger than for his music by many Canadians and virtually unheard of by international audiences, I don't think there is any way that 'Hosptail Music' would fail to find voice or heart for any single soul.

There isn't enough good things to say about 'Hospital Music'. It is perfect, or as perfect as an album can be. But the three most beautiful tracks on the album are 'Metal Airplanes'("there's nothing I can do about you" sings Good, showcasing his vulnerability and pain in a very pure, honest way), '99% Of Us is Failure' (the melodic, swelling chorus provides brilliant words of wisdom and reflection), and the more uptempo but still stark and wintery 'The Boy Come Home'.

Although 'Hospital Music' will probably never reach out to mass, mass audiences or become a number 1 smash hit worldwide, although it will probably never be remembered as a classic album in twenty years, what can be said about it, is that it captures the emotion and perfect feel of lost souls. It is extremely telling and relevant for the general feeling of youth culture in a society that seeks absolute truths. It is spectacularly dark and crisp and not overblown with production and false, masking instrumentation. It is just Good, singing of his sorrows and battles... and the sorrows and battles of a million others.

I am going to be shameless and say this is an extremely subjective review. I am also going to say that even if you think this album would never be your thing, you should REALLY give it a chance.

I think it takes alot of courage for anyone to go through the depths of hell and come out the other side or just to keep trying each day. This album proves it. I always know when I buy a Matt Good album that it is never a waste of my money. His latest release is simply another great body of work.

I put every song on my MP3 player with the exception of one and even that song was still a great song just didn't suit my taste.

I hope that Matthew himself can appreciate this: Your diagnosis of BP is some of who you are; and those qualities which make you able to be sensitive, and care about the losses in your life when they weigh you down more than someone else is exactly why you are I think one of the best musicians to come out of Canada since Neil Young & Bruce Cockburn. Your lyrics are beautiful and haunting, therefore realistic. Your musicianship abilities I think are on par and perhaps even surpass Neil Young and that's saying alot.

If you love M.G. & are considering buying this CD..get it; hec get 2 and pass it along to friends; it's fabulous!

After years of liking Matthew Good and MGB radio songs, I finally bought a CD - this one - and my fandom jumped ten levels. To my mind, this is easily one of the best albums of the decade. The rest of Matt Good's catalogue (I had to dig in) has some great albums, too, but this remains my favourite.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Incredible
This has to be on of the best albums Matt Good has done to date. It is gripping, exciting, and a joy to listen to.

Published on Oct 18 2008 by Michael Shelbourn

5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection of music...
I don't really have anything new to say in addition to the previous great reviews. This is a very nice album, good mix, some great tracks etc., etc. Read more

Published on Dec 20 2007 by Keith Matthews

4.0 out of 5 stars hospital music
This cd is worth buying even if it is just for the awesome opening track 'champions of nothing'. The words, delivery of them and the music are stunning. Read more

Published on Nov 23 2007 by Marcia

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable, cathartic CD- take the time and get to love it
I've had Hospital Music in the cd player in the car for about a month now, and have come to appreciate what a remarkable album it is. Read more

Published on Nov 1 2007 by Andrew Leamy

3.0 out of 5 stars Same old something new
Matthew Good had flatlined, pun unintended. No, don't misunderstand me. He's still churning out music and passable work - the latest being Hospital Music. Read more

Published on Aug 22 2007 by Horatio Ganges

2.0 out of 5 stars emergency
Hospital Music by matthew bad is an appropriate name because after I listened to this canadian blunderchilds work of incompetence my mother found me clutching my ears in pain and... Read more

Published on Aug 9 2007 by OppressedAtheist

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart on his sleeve
I have never been dissapointed with any of Matt's work, every single album I can listen to without skipping tracks, some of course get heavier rotation than others to be... Read more

Published on Aug 7 2007 by Berlinergirl

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
I'm a long time fan of Matthew Good's music and have never been disappointed by any of his albums.
I can't just listen to one song off the album, I have to listen to the... Read more

Published on Aug 5 2007 by A. Campbell

5.0 out of 5 stars Matthew Good-Hospital Music
I've been a long time fan and must say "he did it again"!! Just a great CD, one of his best. Couldn't find a bad track on the whole CD, as usual. Read more

Published on Aug 1 2007 by James P. Moody

5.0 out of 5 stars great
as a long time fan of matt I gotta say he really outdid himself this time, a great talent for years past and years ahead.

Published on July 31 2007 by playb3yond

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