Matt Smith

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Being Human

6 String Ranch, 2020

9/10

Listen to Being Human

A veteran musician from Austin, the guitar wizard Matt Smith rarely stays in one genre for very long, and his many albums have made him a loyal fanbase, which isn’t surprising if you spend anytime with Being Human.

“Sanctuary” starts the listen with plenty of mature melody as Smith’s gritty yet smooth vocals steer the playful keys from Tony Perrino and Brian Melick’s very precise percussion amid some version of folk-rock, and the title track follows with a very calm, delicate display of breezy bass work thanks to Ed Friedland as well as soulful backing vocals from Ange Kogutz.

Elsewhere, the swift and charged “I Got The Girl” thumps with some garage rock spirit as Smith’s pipes soar above searing guitar riffs and furious drumming, while “How We Got To Here” enters acoustic balladry, where much beauty enters the intricate guitar and agile percussion from Phil Bass.

Closer to the end, the thick and rugged “Down In The Hole” emits a powerful and firm variation of rock, and “I’d Do Anything For You” exits the listen with a jazz friendly climate that welcomes Shonna Skarda on backing vocals and Ed Gethard on Weissenborn.

Smith offers something for everyone here, and if you appreciate thoughtful, timeless song craft that’s capable of warm intimacy as well as more abrasive moments, you’ll enjoy every second of this diverse, exciting and infectious body of work.

Travels well with: Dick Aven- It All Started In The Garden; Colin Roy Monette- Lucky