Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
We ignore those who we should be holding up high every day, it is an action that costs a little piece of our soul, a small sliver of our humanity, until all that could have been evolution, progress in our hearts, becomes shrouded in the shadow of degeneration, the waxing and the waning of someone’s art too fragile, too at risk from the latest trend and the chase of the obscure celebrity fashion, the endorsement of those that quite honestly would step over the passionate and interesting in favour of the scent of the superficial and the phoney.
It in is in this pursuit of Growth and Decay that Matt Swift brings his third set of songs to the listener and one in which the strength and openness of the artist’s own heart might look to those who keep their eyes firmly encased in judgement’s gaze as if there is nothing more to add to this troubadour’s quiver. Yet those same eyes will never see past their own insincere sneer, they will never understand the beauty, the bravery and the belief it takes to delve into one’s own psyche and come out with the core of gems to which Growth and Decay has enveloped itself around.
The beauty, the bravery, the belief, it is what keeps us going when all is deemed to be verging into the void; it is creative lie that grows around those who feel their music in a way that few can truly appreciate, the void, the place where decay takes roots and gives the naysayers the supposed truth to hit people with, the stick, large and unedifying, is the lie and it takes those true human emotions to beat the naysayers with their own branch of ignorance; it is a stick that Matt Swift wields like a broadsword, but not one that is set out to maim, just to keep the ignorant at bay.
Despite being a set of songs that are in demo form, there is so much going on within them, so much anguish, playful accord and generosity of performance, that they stand out as if the recording was placed in the hands of the finest engineer and producer that money can purchase.
In songs such as The price of Urban Living, Corporate Dreams, Little Miss, Is It Just Me and Death In The Wind, Matt Swift defies those who suggest that you should not open your heart, and brings the tales of his life, of perhaps his own purpose, to the front; it is a sense of belief that the listener should pay heed, for the troubadour may sing their own songs, but the reflection they show you is one that lights up your own doubts, insecurities and determination to the point of understanding endurance.
A very cool collection of songs, Growth always, and with no sign of decay in the act of pursuing a great song lyric to be found anywhere.
Ian D. HallÂ