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If you listened to our Hidden Track podcast back in December, you’re already well acquainted with Matt Pond. During our talk, Matt discussed the trajectory his band, matt pond PA, has taken over the years, and some of what went into his upcoming eighth LP, The Dark Leaves, which will be released on April 6th via Altitude Records. Matt also had some words to share about his influences (“The Kinks… always The Kinks”), some of which shine through on “Starting,” the album’s appropriately titled lead off track.
“Starting” is a jaunty, inventive take on the classic pop formula, filled with spot-on vocal harmonies and instrumental sleights of hand. Carried along by a bouncy groove, the song pulls together its various elements with agility and smarts; organ, strings, and piano all serve to flesh out Pond’s vocals and the main, driving guitar line. Shades of Elliott Smith at his more lushly orchestrated and the polished pop of Chamber Strings are both evoked, as are the tender flourishes of Owen‘s recent work and Erlend Oye’s smooth croon as half of Kings of Convenience. Although the touchstones may be numerous and clear, matt pond PA also does an impeccable job of crafting a sound all their own, punctuating this effort with idiosyncratic touches (like those snapping fingers that help get “Starting” started).
(40 votes, average: 7.15 out of 10)
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January 22nd, 2010 at 8:37 am
Poor man, he looks anorexic.
He should eat…. then write songs.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
The quality of Matt’s work has really declined since his peak in the early 2000s. That’s unfortunate, because he has done some really good work.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Since it’s my first time listening to Matt Pond I have nothing to compare to, and I really enjoy the song, all aspects. It moves me.
January 24th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Fi ‘n sylweddol ymlacio dinerke gân bobl
January 24th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Loved it.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Sucks!
January 25th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I couldn’t agree more with the second comment (shane).
Matt pond had really good songs. (measure 3, it becomes night, and a long etc.)
Now he just sounds forced, kind of insincere. sad.
January 26th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Thanks, M. “Measure 3″ and “Lily Two” are a couple of my favorite tracks off The Green Fury and Emblems, which are the two best LPs from Matt & Co. If you like what you hear here, Clue, I’d start with those.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Dunno… seems like he is trying too hard to come across as “honest” which, in turn, makes the song sound all the more conceited.
It’s a pity, though. He has(or, at least, had) the talent but it seems like he´s not all there any more.
I think I’ll pass on this one.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Had to come back to this one to see what people thought because I still love this song. And I still don’t get the comments. Dunno, I don’t see anything anything insincere or trying too hard in this; it totally works.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I agree with Nina…wtf are you peeps listening to? I think this song is incredible.