MATTHEW BARBER The Story Of Your Life EP (Warner) Rating: NNN
Rating: NNN
I know it’s bad karma to wish misery on others, but there’s a tiny cruel part of me that wants someone to break Matthew Barber’s heart again. The former NOW cover boy cheers up and rocks out on his Warner debut, trading winsome indie balladry for cranked-up classic rock riffs delivered with a sexy snarl. It’s got the same old-school homage vibe as Joel Plaskett’s killer Truthfully Truthfully, which makes sense since Plaskett producer Ian McGettigan is on board to polish Barber’s hook-driven songwriting to a tasteful, crunchy sheen. Even the fab title track, a sensitive love song that recalls Barber’s sissy roots, is a perfect slice of jangly Byrdsish pop.
