After three long years since its last release, Matt and Kim return with a high-energy, highly refined, yet still unpolished and punky sound with “Grand.”
The Keyboard-punk/dance-Brooklyn duo got its start in 2004 with its lo-fi dance sound that has become somewhat of a trademark.
With its latest effort, released on the Fader label, a new level of maturity seems to be the underlying theme from the group’s second full-length release.
While the buzzy synths and punchy drums are still present on a few tracks, pianos, multitimbral synthesizers and layered compositions seem to take the place of the cut and dry sound of its self titled 2006 released.
Recorded at vocalist and keyboardist Matt Johnson’s childhood home in Vermont, Johnson admits that “Grand” differs greatly from the rushed and clean sound of “Matt and Kim.”
“We didn’t want [‘Grand’] to sound sterile,” said Johnson.
“There were no rules recording at my parent’s house. It was just like having a microphone next to a washing machine down the hall, kind of more rattly, catching the sound of the old house.”
The DIY attitude that has driven the duo since its starting comes through on “Grand.”
With the chirpy piano riff of “Daylight” opening the album, the piano work of Johnson and the snappy percussive works of Schofino reveal a higher level of technicality from both musicians that is present throughout the record.
Following the opening track, Matt and Kim return to its minimal drum and synth heavy sound with “Cutdown.”
Schofino’s arms smash away at her drums like a metal press on the verge of breaking down.
As Johnson reveals, simplifying songs was one of the challenges of recording “Grand.”
“I really like songs that are stripped down, but I find it really difficult to hold back,” said Johnson.
“It was a crippling amount of freedom with no one breathing over your shoulder. You don’t even know when to say stop.”
"Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” expels on this minimalist idea, with a simple piano melody coasting along with Johnson’s vocal lines.
Schofino’s drum beat comes through big and heavy, laying down the appropriate pace for the upbeat sound of the composition.
“I Wanna” returns to the old smash it up Matt and Kim sound, with a lo-fi grit on Johnson’s vocals that create a level of warmth and purity that makes the track sound like it was recorded live.
The strength of “Grand” comes heavily from the pace of the album. Around every sonic corner is a new tempo or sound that will please new comers to Matt and Kim’s sound.
The hardcore fans may feel a bit alienated by the new sound, but with all good things must come change. “Grand” departs from “Matt and Kim” in numerous ways, but it does so in a tasteful way.
Matt and Kim exemplify that a band can move away from labels and high priced recording studios, take it under its own control and still prove successful.
Reach Greg Toumassian at
lifestyle@thepolypost.com
3 comments