Words & Music
$7.99
Album Description
Words and Music is the the 2008 album by Hale, an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. This is Hales’ fourth album (and third U.S. release) under his longstanding nom de disc Aqualung, and it has the feeling of a series of deep emotional truths whispered in confidence. Hales co-produced with his brother and musical right-hand man Ben, who also provides guitar, bass and harmony vocals, and co-wrote several songs, and it is the product of an… More >>
Matt reminds me of Thom Yorke in that he puts out two brilliant albums, then he does a “Kid A”. Hello? I guess they both just get tired of putting out such awesome albums and feel their fans don’t deseve such genius, and instead put out albums that test their fans’ loyalty in following them on some experimental journey into discordance and aimlessness! I never did warm up to “Kid A” or “Amnesiac”, I doubt I’ll like “Words and Music” anywhere as well as “Memory Man” either. Oh well, I hope he doesn’t follow Thom Yorke’s example and venture further and further into that experimental morass, but it doesn’t look good. I guess they’re both looking for something deeper than to just put out awesomely stimulating works of some of the finest music on the planet. Oh well, our loss. I gave it 3 stars because anything Matt spends time doing is at least worth 3 stars. Especially compared to all the drivel topping the charts these days.
Rating: 3 / 5
If Memory Man was spacey, Words and Music is homey.
After many little clues he gave to what this album would be like, it came out just as promised: a selection of lungsongs from the first records in an acoustic style, a few new songs and a song by Paul Simon.
“Can’t get you out of my mind” and my favorite baby ballad “Everything changed” come from the first album, Lullaby “Good goodnight” and eclectic and catchy “7 keys” from Still Life. These versions are warmer and more acoustic but not drastically different.
I finally got to listen to “When i finally get my own place” and the grand “Nothing else matters” which were b-sides. These sound very classic and kind of Beatlesy.
Still Aqualung, still Matt’s soothing voice. More of the exquisite arrangements that build up and come down to a whisper and keep things interesting. In contrast to Memory Man, this one sounds Beatlesy and sometimes folky. As promised, it feels like hot cocoa and coming home.
Watch out for Arrivals, though. If you let it, sweet tears will well up in your eyes. The kind that feel good.
Rating: 4 / 5
Great album. Nice contrast to Memory Man. Matt’s songwriting skills are as strong as ever.
Rating: 5 / 5
In March, 2007, Matt Hales (the one-man band behind Aqualung) released an epic album “Memory Man”, which was one of my “best of 2007″ albums, and which I thought might position Aqualung to greater commercial/mainstream success. But alas, it didn’t happen, despite several outstanding tracks. Now comes the next Aqualung album, seemingly out of the blue (I picked it up today while shopping at my record store, I had no idea that a new album was on the way).
“Words and Music” (10 tracks, 43 min.) is first of all not to be confused with the Hugh Grant movie soundtrack of last year…. That cleared up, I was quite surprised by the overall tone of the album. No “Cinderella” or “Pressure Suit” to be found on here. Instead, the album opener “7 Keys” is a very low-key affair, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The Paul Simon cover of “Slip-sliding Away” is pleasant but nothing ear-catching. The intimate songs follow, and “On My Knees” is just about the only up-tempo song on here. I don’t understand where Matt Hales is going with this album. “Memory Man” set the table for a more forceful sound, and Matt Hales has retreated from it on this album. This is not a ‘bad’ album, but I was disappointed by it, period.
I saw Matt Hales/Aqualung on the “Memory Man” tour last year, and then it seemed clear to me that even bigger things were to follow. But “Words and Music” has not fulfilled that promise. Strange album. Not bad, but not that great either. Color me disappointed.
Rating: 4 / 5
I can’t tell you enough how good this album is. Probably his most focused work to date, and one of the most genuine albums I have ever heard. It’s stripped down, yet has an incredible incorporation of eclectic instrumentation. “7 Keys”, “On My Knees”, and “Nothing Else Matters” are probably the finest songs he’s ever released, the Paul Simon “Slip Sliding Away” cover is breathtaking and aches with realism, and the beginning of “Arrivals” gives me chills (actually the whole song does). This song will reaffirm your hope in songwriting, music, and humanity in general. Please Listen.
Rating: 5 / 5