Matthew Pop

"Cloned from the 80's revolution meets Rivers Cuomo emerges Matthew Pop, who specializes in reminding us about one thing: what rocks (and pops) about being 'old school.'

While his lyrics merely scratch the surface and his voice is not exactly what you'd call perfect quality, you still find yourself just moving along to his music just like it's an old Spice Girls album. The Generation Y vintage feel creates a sound not normally found in the mainstream college market. And not a moment too soon for the philosophical and mundane: this album just tears up all that screams 'college intellectual.' And finally gives us something fun to enjoy instead of overanalyze.

From the ukulele-laden opener of "Belgium Baby" to the raunchier "The Bartender's Daughter," listeners are not bound to be disappointed. Even 80's-esque hit "Promise" gives you that feeling to throw your hair up in a side ponytail and embrace spandex. 

With "The Bartender's Daughter," Pop breaks out of the stereotypical shell and enlightens the listener with a tale of why he will no longer pursue the aforementioned woman. It is songs like this that break up the bubble-gum pop image that Matthew Pop exudes up until this point.

Even "Something To Abuse" reaches into that inner-punk and pulls it out just long enough to get drunk, smash some guitars, and make out with some muscle guy's hot girlfriend without the black eye the next morning. Here, Pop keeps it simple, yet isn't afraid to embrace a different kind of sound from the other songs. It certainly gives one a reason to give this album a listen.

But it isn't until "Lights Out" that we truly get a taste of ballads on The Great Demise. Pop surprises us here again by changing up the pace and feel of his album. It's like punk on Prozac, but done in such a way that you can't help but admire the beauty and simplicity. The repetition of "if I can't go on" really builds despondence, the complete antithesis of the rest of the album.

From rough and raunchy to poppy and peppy, Pop makes it pop."


Jenn's Grade: B+
- ROAR Magazine

"Matthew Pop's songs are memorable but there's a grayness to much of his brand of Pop, sharing more in common with glum melodicists like Lou Barlow than, say, Cheap Trick, and capturing that strange sunshine melancholy Brian Wilson was so good at harnessing. Pop is not only a clever writer but he is a fantastic translator of mood into music. The singer/songwriter is currently on the road supporting his third solo effort, Million." - CityBeat, MPMF.09 - CityBeat, MPMF. Cincinnati, OH.