Swimming in the mainstream of Nashville country
Matt Gary is a 27-year-old singer, whose heartland Kansas roots have given way to the modernisms of Nashville. He’s the artistic progeny of Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, another generation removed from the hillbilly and folk roots that initially defined country music. His six-track EP is immaculately produced with pop-rock guitars (though the mid-tempo “Not Every Man Lives†leads with a moody banjo), filled out with material that tugs at the heartstrings and sung in an appealing tenor. The songs are well-crafted recitations of well-worn tropes: reminiscing through life’s joyous moments, an offer of comfort to a mistreated woman, balancing work and home life, the magical feeling of falling in love, and living one’s life to the fullest. Gary’s an engaging singer with a good ear for catchy material and an obvious enthusiasm for his new career. But this initial outing feels more like a Nashville assembly than a personal artistic statement. The talent that attracted songwriter/producer Frank Myers to the project is readily apparent, but Gary still needs to establish a unique voice, transcend his influences and create something new. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com] 