Review - Matt & Kim - Lightning

I can’t believe it’s been two years since their last record ‘Sidewalks’. It feels like I was just reviewing it! Ah, how time flies.

Well, not a whole lot has changed since then for the boy/girl duo. Their 2009 album ‘Grand’ set them up for success, but ‘Sidewalks’ didn’t quite live up. There wasn’t any big single, as there had been on ‘Grand’. They stuck to their sound and gave it their best effort, but it just didn’t quite happen for them.

‘Lightning’ is more of the same, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. If you’re a big M&K fan, then you’re in luck! The drums take center stage and Matt Johnson’s odd vocals haven’t changed one bit. I personally find it a bit grating, but I know some people really love it.

The group’s fourth album is quirky as always, filled with synths here and there, strange percussions, horns, and pretty much anything else they could think of. There’s guitar, there’s piano (as well as other keys), there’s funk and hutzpah! While at times it feels like they are throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks, other times the album is just fun. There is a lot of potential on here for singles in the rock world, but nothing mainstream (which it feels just a bit like they are reaching for).

I haven’t always been their biggest supporter, but I don’t want to hold that against them. They seem to be a good group, and ‘Lightning’ is interesting and varied, so let’s stick with that. I just can’t jump on board with their sound, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t.

Listen to: “Let’s Go”, “It’s Alright” (my favorite on the album)

Buy