Grace Hotel
  Overall rating: ++++-

Album Reviews

In a day and age where so many artists sound like blatant rip-offs of someone more popular than they are, it is nice to listen to an artist that makes something new out of something old. Mat Kearney's Bullet takes the best of two worlds -- hip-hop and indie rock -- and ignites it with some raw fire that will take you on one heck of anenjoyable ride.

Two seconds after he begins singing the opening words of the beat-driven "Trainwreck," you'll wonder if this is in fact the new Coldplay album as Kearney sounds more than a little like Chris Martin. Sonically, the
comparison to one of the UK's latest imports continues throughout the album, as piano music enters some of the songs, adding layers to the ethereal electric guitars that seemingly glide along the edges of the songs themselves. Add in some funky acoustic guitar, and you've got some tunes that are guaranteed to make you groove, even while sitting. This is some magical stuff, believe you me.

Bullet plays like a road trip across the proverbial landscape of Americana. Thematically, Kearney tackles issues of love lost, old friendships that have endured, God's grace in difficult times, and the daunting prospect of teenage pregnancy. Alternating between throaty vocals and a spoken-word vibe that doesn't quite approach rapping in the usual sense, Kearney embraces the role of storyteller and does it with a poet's sense of flow and rhythm.

In "Poor Boy," one of many highlights on this album, he sings:

Like a coming of age on the road less traveled
From the concrete streets to the backwoods gravel
From the cage to the stage as my wings unravel
You won the war though I'm still fighting battles

Here, as in other tracks, we get clued in to Kearney's humble
beginnings and how God led him through one obstacle after another.
He talks with the listeners in an almost breathless fashion at times,
alternating between speaking quickly to keep time with the song and
saying as much as he can with each breath he has, not necessarily
quickly, but simply stretching the breath as far as it will go. There's
almost a feeling that each breath could be his last, and so he doesn't
want to waste a bit of it -- a fact which is highly emblematic of this
album's content

~ Brian Palmer

Mat Kearney brings a fresh new sound to Christian music with his 2004 debut release "Bullet". Fans of Coldplay, Beck, or Sugar Ray will be hooked by Kearney's light vocals and catchy melodies that tie the entire record together. The album delves into rock, hip-hop, catchy pop, and spoken word with a blend that is truly unique and entertaining.

His acoustic guitar style and deeply personal lyrics present some serious challenges to life, faith, and tough questions about hardship. The level of honesty he brings to his music through deeply personal lyrics certainly will find their niche in the life of every listener. Kearney's life-long struggle against his sin nature resonates throughout every seam of each song, showing a man who truly has experienced the things he sings about and writes about.

Ever host some friends at your place for a party and wonder what to play in the background? This CD has to be one of my new favorites for simple ambient music. Regardless of your taste in music, this album has a track for everyone to enjoy, probably more. Piano, spoken word, rap, intriguing beats

The Eugene, OR naitive hooked up with InPop Records (Newsboys-owned record label) after recording this full length album in Nashville. He had spent many months in TN presenting his music in various venues until he met up with producer Robert Marvin (Stacie Orrico, TobyMac) who immediately wanted to work with Kearny. Consequently, this resulted in the recording you hear today, bringing a smorgasboard of different sounds into a very entertaining album.

Mat Kearney is currently touring with Pillar, so if you would like to catch one of his shows, you can always check out ITickets.com and order some tickets. With a diverse selection of songs in his arsenal, certainly his live show is something to definately check out.

In conclusion, a great album for easy listening and inspiring deeper spiritual thought. If you've been looking for something new and fresh which can hook you with catchy melodies, look no further, Mat Kearny is your guy.

~ tubby treats

Mat Kearney unloads an incredible debut album at a rather important time in the industry when the singer/songwriter is king. I can’t help but think about Gotee Records’ Paul Wright throughout this entire album. Mat keeps with the same acoustic-based, mellow hip-hop flavour as Paul, but Mat has the upper hand here with more pop influence and a bit more general market appeal. Obviously the latter is true as he has already signed with Aware/Columbia records at the same time as his Inpop contract.

Production on this album is quite beautiful. Pristine, clear vocals, beautiful acoustic tones and bass lines that are infectious. As musically impressive as this album is, the lyrics also hold their own. Mat’s catchy choruses, whether they’re over drum loops or a live set really reach out to the listener…

“When I set out to write, I want to write something that will rip your heart out, hopefully there is a depth and intimacy of the song writing that goes beyond the novelty of a funky guy with an acoustic guitar. Great songs connect beyond genre and style.” (Mat Kearney)

Undeniable is a great pop song with a sweet acoustic guitar against Mat’s great vocals and harmonies. The song was inspired by a troubled student at Franklin High who told Mat about his desire to make a life change. Mat drove by the school daily on his way to the studio and used the school’s demolition as a metaphor for the chaos in the student’s life.

In the Middle is one of the most stunning songs I’ve heard in a while, definitely the standout track on the album with warm strings that ooze a Coldplay vibe but with Mat’s incredible spoken word over live drums and piano. The more I hear this song the more I am completely in love with it.

Call Me has huge general-market appeal with its beautiful strings, progression and mellow John Mayer vocal style.

With Mat’s teen years spent pursuing the hip hop culture and his more recent study of poetry and artistic expression fusing together on this album, the results are striking. Mat Kearney may not be the first singer/songwriter blending the hip-hop lyric style with acoustic folk melodies, but he has certainly perfected it on his debut album Bullet.

~ Jeff McCann

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