Matchbook Romance - Voices

DIY success Matchbook Romance originally formed in 1997, under the moniker The Getaway, and gained exposure via unsigned band sites like MP3.com. The Gateway quickly built a following in their native Northeast. When an Epitaph’s Brett Gurewitz (of Bad Religion fame) heard The Gateway’s demo on Punknews.org, the band was whisked from NY, to California to sign a contract. It was due to legal issues that the band changed names, becoming Matchbook Romance. Comparable to Yellowcard, Rufio, and Taking Back Sunday, Matchbook Romance has hints of Muse, and the Alkaline Trio, mixed to a frothy foam of morose pianos and swelling guitar riffs. Voices, MR’s fourth official release, follows the 2003 full-length Stories and Alibis, and EP West for Wishing , and a 2004 album split with the band Motion City Soundtrack. Voices, released on Valentine’s Day 2006, starts off with a mellow piano interlude which gives way to the melodic soundscape of “You Can Run But We’ll Find You.” Singer Andrew Jordan’s rich, melancholic voice weaves in and out of the music. The next track, “Surrender,” picks up the pace of the album, which continues to escalate with “My Mannequin Can Dance,” which kicks off with thick metal guitar riffs, and triumphant lead guitar. By the fifth track, “Monsters,” the album has hit it’s stride. The most radio friendly track on the album, “Monsters” is catchy, intense, and driven. Voices runs the gamut of rock music, from ballads to forceful anthems. The album, as a whole is well written and well produced. Voices marks the MR’s push forward, from emo-sensibilities, into full-force rock. The emotion on this album stretches from anger to loneliness, regret, deception, and anger. Needless to say this is another good album for bad break-ups. [www.matchbookromance.com]