Customer Reviews

The Audio Of Being

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Relative to a MGB album, this is a pretty good record. Compared to the rest of rock music today this is a fantastic record. Although I don't find it as satisfying (as a whole) as Beautiful Midnight, there are some great songs here. And please stop with the radiohead comparisons. They don't sound like radiohead. They have a sound that is unique to MGB. Highlights include: "Advertising on Police Cars", "The Rat Who Would Be King", and "The Fall of Man". One of my top 2 records of 2001. The other being Rival Schools-United By Fate. I know you haven't heard of them either but believe me some great rock music. You just have to look hard to find it anymore.

PS-if you are afraid to buy this record because of import prices then don't. Go to HMV.com or cd-plus.com, both are Canadian online stores and will reduce your cost significantly.

As a U.S.-based fan of this Canadian band, the first question about any new release is "Is it worth paying the import price tag for?" The answer in this case (and with most MGB CDs) is YES! "Audio Of Being" is Matthew Good's most complex, challenging effort to date. None of the songs here are as radio friendly as his past hits in Canada ("Load Me Up", "Everything is Automatic") or "Hello Time Bomb", which made a tiny dent in the U.S. charts, but what this CD may lack in classic verse-chorus-verse structure it makes up for with great lyrics and just an amazing batch of songs. Tracks like "Advertising on Police Cars" and "The Fall Of Man" may remind some of Radiohead, while more up-tempo songs like "Carmelina" and "Anti-Pop" are classic Matthew Good. The disc's most stunning achievement is "The Rat Who Would Be King", an epic that is so rocking yet so beautiful it has to be heard to be believed. Nu-metal fans can look elsewhere and U.S. music fans jaded by the pure drivel we're fed in the lower 48 should order this CD now.

I had stepped into the Matthew Good Band because of the Stateside release of their popular (in Canada) "Beautiful Midnight". The incredible rock populated with Matt's presence both vocally and lyrically really left me without a clue as to where their following albums would go. Because of Matt's intentionally poor presence in the US, I didn't pick up on this album until a few months before Avalanche came out in early 2003, both of which (and all subsequent albums since then) I've had to import.

The album art sort of takes you off-guard, but that's merely the beginning. Page after page reveals colorful science book illustrations of various scientific concepts, such as Earth's core structure and as the cover reveals, the water cycle. These first few pages, a far cry from the generic garage band-style photos of "Beautiful Midnight" represent the point of no return: the beginning of Matthew Good's subsequent era in music.

Before working on this album, Matt underwent vocal cord surgery and recovered slowly in a hotel in Whistler, BC, while taking prescription painkillers. It was here where he wrote the twisted lyrics that would eventually see the light. He swore off smoking and adopted some incredible production values. His new soaring vocals and new backup choirs almost disarm you from beginning to end.

More of a "follow the white rabbit" than anything, this musical journey pushes you in and out of what is truly a terrifying and melancholy experience. "Advertising on Police Cars", "Tripoli" and "Under the Influence" only cement the demented pathway that this album ferries you along.

After a thorough listen, you'll experience a thorough paradigm shift of Matthew Good's musicology that becomes his trademark in all subsequent albums. The harder-rocking tracks almost exist as an obligation so you don't drown in the murk. And while none of them provide the same hits that, say "Hello Time Bomb" did on "Beautiful Midnight", that's really not what you're here for. A track that could've potentially filled that role, "Pony Boy" was released as a B-side and was also put on the "In A Coma" compilation. It's easy to see why it didn't fit.

While not as trendy as their previous albums, you can see Matt really wanted to get out on his own as this was the last effort of the Matthew Good Band before their dissolution. The next few albums serve as an almost pure siphon of Matthew Good-ness (yuckle!). If you start with Matthew Good solo, this is where he started. If you start with Matthew Good band, this is where it ends.

A fantastic crossroads for one of the greatest musicians in play today.

On reflection, this album is the best of all by the Matthew Good Band. I am disappointed to read that they are no more as I never tire of the music they have put out.

I had this CD sent from Canada on it's day of release as I had been completely taken by the previous albums by this group. On first listening, I didn't think it had the pulling power of "Beautiful Midnight" but it has been a real grower on me, like a fungus and I can't get rid of it now. I listen to this album at least once a week, and like it's predecessor, I always find something different to grip me. I particularly like a couple of the tracks with string backing, "Advertising On Police Cars" and "Sort Of A Protest Song". The harder, heavier tracks like "Man Of Action" and "Carmelina" are great and "Anti-Pop" is top notch pop music. I think the limited edition with the lyric book is the go, as some of the lyrics are a tad odd, but I still think this is as good as modern alternative pop/rock will ever get.

A close mate of mine sums it up perfectly. "Audio Of Being" is a classic.

Matthew Good Band have managed to do it again. They have broken through the meager barrier put in place by all the mediocre bands out there once again, with their fourth full length album. This CD takes the sounds of Underdogs and Beautiful Midnight and combines them in a reliant, strong case and adds a new sound with the many orchestral accompanied tracks; Man of Action, Advertising On Police Cars, The Fall of Man, etc. This all manages to fuse together to create a solid album with 12 strong tracks, leaving little disappointment. The great thing is that each song has its own unique sound, from hard guitar riffs (carmelina) to soft, flowing gentleness (advertising on police cars and I, the Throw Away), making for a musical experience that doesn't grow repetitive after the first dozen or so listens like many albums out there these days. It is unfortunate that MGB was not able to fully establish themselves in America as some Canadian bands have managed to do. Now that they have sadly parted as a band, many people won't have the fortune to hear their great sounds. I recommend any fan of great Canadian rock/alternative music, to check out this album, in addition to their previous albums, and to check out another great Canadian band, Our Lady Peace.

my friends have asked me multiple times for me to lend them this album because i rave on and on about it so much, but i can't really seem to let go of it. i can't give them beautiful midnight but that album is a totally different story. audio of being is quite possibly one of the top five most intelligent releases by any band ever. matthew good has outdone his previous release once again as the music and the lyrics get better with each and every song. sort of a protest song is probably my personal favorite, and truffle pigs is definetly one of my favorites(...)just get this album however you can. it's worth your time and your money.

I have been such a big fan of MGB for the longest time, and this album is the best that I have ever heard. I am a big fan of all of the albums, but this album brings MGB to a higher level. Awesome. If you even remotely appreciate good music, buy this album.

I'm over 13 but I dont want to create an account.

This cd really is amazing. When I first listened to it, it sounded like an average cd with some off-beat tunes. Eventually, however, it grew on me. This is the type of music that I can listen to when I'm tired, bored, happy, sad, pretty much whenever - something that can't be said about many albums. Each and every song on this album is unique, and MGB never stops to amaze you with wonderful lyrics and subtle yet breath-taking tunes. This is the type of album that someone cannot truly enjoy until he/she has listened to it at least 10 times - at least that was true to me. Everytime I play this album it seems to sound better and better. This album is usually one of the first ones I rush to when opening my music folder. The truly wonderful element of this album, IMO, is that it is very original, yet does not stray too far away from mainstream type music. People that listen to all different types of music could enjoy this album. What I mean is that its not as hard to grasp as other albums like Radiohead's "OK Computer" and A Perfect Circle's "Thirteen Steps". Those two other albums are supposedly awesome as well, but it takes a lot longer to get use to it(for me at least, i still havent gotten use to it, but then I dont listen to it enough) - however, with "Audio of Being", it seems to grasp the listener much faster. Matthew Good also doesnt try to overdo anything, its just very subtle yet amazing music. This is currently one of my favorite albums. My favorite songs(I enjoy all of them, i really do, not just saying that to make this album sound better):

Man of Action
Advertising on Police Cars
Truffle Pigs
The Rat who would be King

Have you ever noticed how albums recorded while a band is in turmoil often turn out to be their greatest?

When faced with the task of following up their sophmore release (Underdogs), MGB had their work cut out for them. But when "Beautiful Midnight" hit the shelves a few years later, the band had proved that they were truly a force to be reckoned with, and were elevated to supernatural heights within the Canadian music world.

So... now what?

It was no secret that Matt was stressed out (he admitted to suffering panic attacks on the bands website), and he had every right to be. But with the release of "Audio of Being", fans could breathe a sigh of relief. With such awe-inspiring tracks like "Advertising on Police Cars", "I the Throw Away", and "Truffle Pigs", the band had done it again. Unfortunatley, it would prove to be the last time. The band would call it quits soon after, citing "personal differences" as the reason behind the split.

But Matt still had more to say. He would follow up "Audio of Being" with a solo release in the new millenium titled "Avalanche", which effectively set a new standard for alternative music in the years to follow.

This cd is not only the best matthew good band cd, it is also one of the best cds i have ever heard. Matthew Good's lyrics are always incredible, but some songs just have lyrics that are mindblowing. This cd has no songs that i skip. Every song is listened to when i put it in the cd player. Some of the songs take a while to enjoy, but those are the best songs. AntiPop is the catchiest song and is good to listen to. Carmelina is a hard hitting song also very catchy. under The Influence takes a while to get into, but it ends up being very catchy and great to sing along to. Man of Action is like under the influence, only the format of the song is different. Fall Of Man is an excellent song that took a while to get into as well, but proves to be an amazing song. Truffle Pigs is also excellent. Workers sing a song... takes some time to appreciate but ends up being great as well.

Now we get to the best songs on the cd. Advertising On Police Cars blows my mind every time i hear it. Just spectacular. So soothing yet haunting.
I The Throw Away has some of my favorite lyrics and is a slow accoustic song which just has something special about it.
Tripoli is outstanding. Catchy song with good lyrics and then the end just kills me every time i hear it with an chorus of kids singing.
Sort Of A Protest Song is the last song on the cd and deserves to be. it closes the cd nicely and wraps up the over all feeling of the cd. Slow, intelligent verses, and then a catchy and somewhat loud chorus. Excellent song!
The Rat Who Would Be King. If i had to choose only one song to be the best on the cd, this would probably get that spot. Just a chilling yet enjoyable in some sick way. Matthew Good sings each song beautifully. The song's lyrics are very deep. The chorus sends chills up my spine every time i hear it.

Overall, this cd is without a doubt one of the very few cds out there that are worth the $10+. Filled with beautful ballads and anthems that will not dissapoint.