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Editorial Reviews
Matthew Morrison's self-titled debut release features the lead single "Summer Rain" which was co-written by Matthew with Claude Kelly (Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, to name a a few) and the Norwegian duo known as Espionage, who produced the track in New York City. Espionage (Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund), are respected for their work with Train (this year's Grammy Award-winning "Soul Sister") and many others. The debut album is available on May 10th and features other songs with guest stars Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By DVD buff
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Matthew Morrison is one supremely talented guy. Amazing voice, great dancer, a terrific all-around entertainer. I've been eagerly anticipating this debut solo release since it was first announced last year.
I'm not very impressed. Not that it's a bad album; it's just that it seems to be trying to prove a couple of points -- namely, that Matthew Morrison is NOT Will Schuester, nor is he just another pretty Broadway face. We get it. Point taken.
This album falls into a category that used to be called MOR ("middle of the road"), walking a line between glossy pop music and more serious adult-contemporary singer/songwriter-ish fare. This gives the album a bit of a lack of focus; while artists like Michael Bublé have been able to successfully navigate similar waters, Morrison just seems randomly adrift on the open sea.
I have a few complaints about the production, the main one being the way Morrison's vocals often get buried in the mix. I suppose I was expecting an album that showcased his vocal talent in a more obvious way, but instead we got some pretty bland pop songs in which the vocals could have been provided by just about anyone. The true "pop" songs on the album are also completely vacuous when it comes to lyrics. It seems that Morrison didn't take Will Schuester's advice about choosing songs that SAY something meaningful about yourself or your feelings.
To stop being negative for a moment, let's talk about the album's high points. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man," a duet with Elton John, is fantastic. These are classic songs that have withstood the test of time. "Over the Rainbow" with Gwyneth Paltrow is another strong song, although it's not a lot different from the version used in GLEE at the end of season one. "It's Over" is probably my favorite song from the album, having very sparse instrumentation backing it and featuring Morrison's vocals prominently.
Making it all the more frustrating is the fact that this album has been released in a number of different versions, with different bonus tracks appearing on the Amazon, iTunes and Barnes & Noble versions of the album. I purchased both the Amazon and iTunes versions, and I'll admit I prefer the bonus track from the iTunes version ("A Boy Can Dream") over the Amazon bonus track ("Arms of a Woman"). However, Amazon's version can be purchased as an actual CD, so for us old folks who like to have a hard-copy backup of all our music, we can get a real CD to hold in our hands here.
Ultimately, if you're a Matthew Morrison or GLEE fan, you'll want this album. Just don't set your expectations too high, as I did. I'm sure, in the grand scheme of things, I'll be playing Morrison's songs from GLEE more than the songs from this album, but I certainly don't regret buying it (twice!).
I'm not very impressed. Not that it's a bad album; it's just that it seems to be trying to prove a couple of points -- namely, that Matthew Morrison is NOT Will Schuester, nor is he just another pretty Broadway face. We get it. Point taken.
This album falls into a category that used to be called MOR ("middle of the road"), walking a line between glossy pop music and more serious adult-contemporary singer/songwriter-ish fare. This gives the album a bit of a lack of focus; while artists like Michael Bublé have been able to successfully navigate similar waters, Morrison just seems randomly adrift on the open sea.
I have a few complaints about the production, the main one being the way Morrison's vocals often get buried in the mix. I suppose I was expecting an album that showcased his vocal talent in a more obvious way, but instead we got some pretty bland pop songs in which the vocals could have been provided by just about anyone. The true "pop" songs on the album are also completely vacuous when it comes to lyrics. It seems that Morrison didn't take Will Schuester's advice about choosing songs that SAY something meaningful about yourself or your feelings.
To stop being negative for a moment, let's talk about the album's high points. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man," a duet with Elton John, is fantastic. These are classic songs that have withstood the test of time. "Over the Rainbow" with Gwyneth Paltrow is another strong song, although it's not a lot different from the version used in GLEE at the end of season one. "It's Over" is probably my favorite song from the album, having very sparse instrumentation backing it and featuring Morrison's vocals prominently.
Making it all the more frustrating is the fact that this album has been released in a number of different versions, with different bonus tracks appearing on the Amazon, iTunes and Barnes & Noble versions of the album. I purchased both the Amazon and iTunes versions, and I'll admit I prefer the bonus track from the iTunes version ("A Boy Can Dream") over the Amazon bonus track ("Arms of a Woman"). However, Amazon's version can be purchased as an actual CD, so for us old folks who like to have a hard-copy backup of all our music, we can get a real CD to hold in our hands here.
Ultimately, if you're a Matthew Morrison or GLEE fan, you'll want this album. Just don't set your expectations too high, as I did. I'm sure, in the grand scheme of things, I'll be playing Morrison's songs from GLEE more than the songs from this album, but I certainly don't regret buying it (twice!).
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love Matthew Morrison. I love his talent and his credentials. You don't get the lead on Broadway without some serious chops. Why then, did he choose to do an album of pablum for the GLEE crowd? Of yea, because it sells. Well, I am one fan who wishes that he had used his amazing voice to rekindle the love for real singing. Not the breathy, digitized vocals that have become a bankable trademark, but real singing. Listen, I know I'm in the minority. Honestly I do. But as someone with an almost religious respect for talent, this CD left me wishing that some producer hadn't gotten to him first. GLEE is a product. He is a star. Now he needs to put out a recording that reflects that status.
30 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Matthew Morrison's self titled debut album is nothing short of 'Gleeful'. Great from front to back.
May 10, 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As the Glee 'kids' gear up for their summer tour, Matthew Morrison has been hard at work on his own project, which is this album that you either hold in your hands or downloaded. The album itself is filled with a great mix of music, from older classics, to songs Matthew Morrison wrote himself, to duets with some of the greatest people in the business. And the end result, honestly, is absolutely 'Gleeful'. Even the insert and photos came out great. And so without further ado, I give you my review of Matthew Morrison's self titled debut...
1). A- - Matthew Morrison - Summer Rain - Such a smooth slow jam, at the same time refreshing but also sounding like the music of years gone by. The lyrics however, written by Matthew Morrison, are completely modern. The song is about a former lover (He confirmed that on Ryan Seacrest.) that he made love with on a rooftop during a storm in New York. His vocals are amazing, and the beat throws you off a bit at first, but quickly has you tapping your toes.
2). A - Matthew Morrison - Still Got Tonight - This is BEAUTIFUL ballad about a long distance relationship, or a relationship with someone who has to travel a lot with his work. And you just get that true sense of honesty and legitimacy, and you just know this is something he's lived through. Not surprising since he's an actor. I'm starting to think it's not possible for him to sound bad. He could sing the phone book to a decent beat and we'd buy it. LOL
3). B - Matthew Morrison and Sting - Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot - I've never been a fan of Sting. (Ducks all the rocks and garbage and tomatoes thrown at him.) LOL But they sound really good together, and the message of the song is a good one. Not my favorite song on the album, but still pretty darn good.
4). A- - Matthew Morrison - My Name - This is clearly another very personal song for Matthew Morrison. I could be wrong, but it seems to me as if it's a song about a person with a career in show business, and while he's surrounded by people, they don't know the real him, and he's still alone either way. He sounds so haunted.
5). A- - Matthew Morrison - Hey - This is a nice up tempo song about being too shy or nervous to say 'Hey' to someone you have feelings for. We've all been there, and Matthew gives voice to it nicely.
6). A- - Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - One of the most beautiful songs on the album. Not sure what it is about Will and Holly... err... Matthew and Gwyneth... LOL Their voices just go together beautifully.
7). A - Matthew Morrison - Don't Stop Dancing - Man, Glee fans are going to LOVE this song. GREAT dance jam, and I gotta say, I'm impressed. I can TOTALLY hear this in a club. In fact, I predict it will be in every gay bar across the globe by Friday night. LOL Great song!
8). A - Matthew Morrison - It Don't Matter To The Sun - This is a BEAUTIFUL song about how life goes on, no matter how badly it feels like our worlds are coming to an end when someone leaves us. The world just keeps on turning. This was the first song I cried to on the album.
9). A- - Matthew Morrison and Elton John - Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man - Elton John! What more needs to be said! He and Matthew's voices are perfectly complimentary. Beautiful 'Mash-Up' of classic hits.
10). B+ - Matthew Morrison - It's Over - A soft, haunting break up song. Matthew's voice is great, but the music is very... hmm, dated sounding? Sounds like a song from another generation. Still really beautiful, and the strings are fantastic. Another self written song that is clearly personal to him.
11). B+ - Matthew Morrison - Arms Of A Woman (Amazon Exclusive Track) - The more of these heartbreaking songs I hear, I can't help but wonder how many times he's been hurt. They are sung with so much heartache and pain. Thoroughly depressing, and yet brilliant at the same time. LOL
So okay folks, there's my two cents on the self titled Matthew Morrison album. Overall, I give the album an A- grade. Several songs score even higher than that, and all together it's an album I can listen to from front to back without skipping any songs, and that's VERY rare for me. He did and amazing job on his solo project, showing that he's got so much more to give than just being Will Shuester on Glee. If you're a fan of Glee, and of Matthew Morrison especially, then this is a must have album. No rapping on it, I swear. LOL I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell
1). A- - Matthew Morrison - Summer Rain - Such a smooth slow jam, at the same time refreshing but also sounding like the music of years gone by. The lyrics however, written by Matthew Morrison, are completely modern. The song is about a former lover (He confirmed that on Ryan Seacrest.) that he made love with on a rooftop during a storm in New York. His vocals are amazing, and the beat throws you off a bit at first, but quickly has you tapping your toes.
2). A - Matthew Morrison - Still Got Tonight - This is BEAUTIFUL ballad about a long distance relationship, or a relationship with someone who has to travel a lot with his work. And you just get that true sense of honesty and legitimacy, and you just know this is something he's lived through. Not surprising since he's an actor. I'm starting to think it's not possible for him to sound bad. He could sing the phone book to a decent beat and we'd buy it. LOL
3). B - Matthew Morrison and Sting - Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot - I've never been a fan of Sting. (Ducks all the rocks and garbage and tomatoes thrown at him.) LOL But they sound really good together, and the message of the song is a good one. Not my favorite song on the album, but still pretty darn good.
4). A- - Matthew Morrison - My Name - This is clearly another very personal song for Matthew Morrison. I could be wrong, but it seems to me as if it's a song about a person with a career in show business, and while he's surrounded by people, they don't know the real him, and he's still alone either way. He sounds so haunted.
5). A- - Matthew Morrison - Hey - This is a nice up tempo song about being too shy or nervous to say 'Hey' to someone you have feelings for. We've all been there, and Matthew gives voice to it nicely.
6). A- - Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - One of the most beautiful songs on the album. Not sure what it is about Will and Holly... err... Matthew and Gwyneth... LOL Their voices just go together beautifully.
7). A - Matthew Morrison - Don't Stop Dancing - Man, Glee fans are going to LOVE this song. GREAT dance jam, and I gotta say, I'm impressed. I can TOTALLY hear this in a club. In fact, I predict it will be in every gay bar across the globe by Friday night. LOL Great song!
8). A - Matthew Morrison - It Don't Matter To The Sun - This is a BEAUTIFUL song about how life goes on, no matter how badly it feels like our worlds are coming to an end when someone leaves us. The world just keeps on turning. This was the first song I cried to on the album.
9). A- - Matthew Morrison and Elton John - Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man - Elton John! What more needs to be said! He and Matthew's voices are perfectly complimentary. Beautiful 'Mash-Up' of classic hits.
10). B+ - Matthew Morrison - It's Over - A soft, haunting break up song. Matthew's voice is great, but the music is very... hmm, dated sounding? Sounds like a song from another generation. Still really beautiful, and the strings are fantastic. Another self written song that is clearly personal to him.
11). B+ - Matthew Morrison - Arms Of A Woman (Amazon Exclusive Track) - The more of these heartbreaking songs I hear, I can't help but wonder how many times he's been hurt. They are sung with so much heartache and pain. Thoroughly depressing, and yet brilliant at the same time. LOL
So okay folks, there's my two cents on the self titled Matthew Morrison album. Overall, I give the album an A- grade. Several songs score even higher than that, and all together it's an album I can listen to from front to back without skipping any songs, and that's VERY rare for me. He did and amazing job on his solo project, showing that he's got so much more to give than just being Will Shuester on Glee. If you're a fan of Glee, and of Matthew Morrison especially, then this is a must have album. No rapping on it, I swear. LOL I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, but only a few songs were any good.
Matthew Morrison is a very talented guy. I like him a lot. I don't like Glee. It's too dirty for my taste. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Broadway'sTribute
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Musical Celebration
The cd arrived in today's post, and I know that I will be listening to it non-stop for the next few weeks. Rarely has a musical journey so delighted and uplifted me. Read more
Published 14 months ago by W. H. Pugmire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the Money
You do not have to be a GLEE fan to appreciate this album. Not being a GLEE fan, I was drug to a NKOTB concert with my 12-year daughter in which Matthew Morrison was one of the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by K. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Must for Morrison's Fans, but Others Will Enjoy It, Too
Anyone who's seen Glee or seen him on Broadway knows Matthew Morrison is multi-talented (the producer of Glee said it best, "You'd think there are a lot of good-looking 30 year old... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lilia Rinna
1.0 out of 5 stars
BIG Letdown!
I wanted to love this CD; I really did, because I love Morrison's singing on Glee. But this? The "original" songs are so . . . well, bland is kind. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Congress Junkie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Matthew Morrison
The CD was really nice to listen to. Hearing Somewhere Over the Rainbow different and interesting. I hope soon he'll make another CD.
Published 20 months ago by Teresa M. Haycraft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good CD
This CD is a very unique experience, the songs all vary and don't sound the same as some cds tend to do. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ichigopudding
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Strong Debut Album
From what I've read in the reviews, opinions about this release are pretty mixed.
I guess it all depends on what you expect, and whether it was delivered. Read more
I guess it all depends on what you expect, and whether it was delivered. Read more
Published 22 months ago by spacefan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Matthew Morrison is very talented and loved his 1st song
I enjoyed the whole CD, but especially his first song 'Summer Rain', I knew from watching Glee he is very talented, but this CD was great and I enjoyed his duets and all the songs... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Gail A. Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!
This was a gift for my mom who loves him. She loved having the CD and having the wonderful music playing. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Shiree I. Espinoza
Listmania!
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