Unfamiliar Faces

Matt Costa

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 8, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Brushfire Records
• ASIN: B000VDDCI8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,524 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Matt Costa's Unfamiliar Faces continues to demonstrate the facility with pop craft and disparate influences he displayed on his 2006 debut, Songs We Sing. One listen to Costa's work and it's obvious why Jack Johnson felt compelled to sign him to his Brushfire Records label, as he shares Johnson's fondness for direct, agreeable alternative pop. But Costa leans slightly more into the alternative side of that equation on Faces. He sounds just as comfortable working off a Brit-pop template as he does with incorporating bits of bands like the Smiths (especially on "Vienna") and straightforward, contemporary sounds a la Counting Crows, or the quieter moments in Dave Matthews's catalog. Songs like "Mr. Pitiful" and "Cigarette Eyes" show off convincing choral hooks, and his unadorned, relaxed singing style is flexible enough to give ballads like "Heart of Stone" a compelling, folksy melancholy. It isn't quite flexible enough, however, to handle the drama of something like "Bound," with its bluesy, Jeff Buckley-esque grandeur. But it's to Costa's credit that he tries to stretch himself and find the edges in his smooth, easily digestible songwriting instincts. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description
When Matt Costa sat down to write what would become Unfamiliar Faces, the follow-up to his 2005 debut full-length Songs We Sing, the singer/songwriter took his most treasured belongings and put them on a shelf -- then stared at them and just let the memories flow. "That way I could see everything that I loved," he explains (the collection included his favorite books, a giant wooden pipe, and a box of old 45-speed records from the late 1950s). "I let my imagination wander. Regular life isn't as exciting as an imaginary life." On the strength of the folky, beautiful Songs, which displays his gentle artistry and skillful acoustic guitar playing, Costa earned a rep as an L.A. buzz act, crisscrossed the U.S. in a van, and performed at all the major North American music festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits among others. Invigorated by onstage collaborations with tour openers like Los Angeles rockers The 88 and Elvis Perkins, he returned to California and wrote nearly all of Unfamiliar Faces in Sacramento, then recorded the album in the spring of 2007 in Santa Ana, again with Dumont, even inviting Adam Merrin from The 88 to play keys on a few tracks. It's Costa's second release on Brushfire Records, the label co-founded by Jack Johnson, who has been a longtime supporter - the two fellow musicians have toured together several times and collaborated on numerous soundtrack projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All You Need to Know : A Great Third Album, January 24, 2008

By	Cabir Davis - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Who Is Matt Costa?

Now on his third album, its still surprising that not many people even know of this singer/songwriters' existence. Born in 1982, the artist is a Myspace mainstay, but his talent has spread through word-of-mouth, not to mention his endless touring and performing on the indie concert circuit.

Three Artists who I can instantly compare Costa to, should give you some idea of what his music sounds like : Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat, and the Beach Boys. Of the three, Costa is most similar to Johnson. In fact, on some tracks, the instrumentation and vocals are so eerily similar to Jack Johnson, but unlike him, Costa doesn't rely so much on the beach vibe. Which is probably a good thing. If you're a close observer of the indie music scene, and know names such as Jose Gonzalez and Devendra Banhart, then you should know that Matt Costa sounds very similar to those artists as well.

With a schoolboy voice that admittedly has a limited range, Matt primarily sings of love and life, all set to folk tunes that at times veer toward alternative rock (ever so slightly). So yes, this predominantly slow, mood music that is very much in the vein of "Coco" by Colbie Caillat. For example, listen to "Lilacs" and "Vienna" (the two best tracks on the record). This is clear, sunny, 1960s tinged folk-pop with that 'feel good' factor. Its light, frothy and inoffensive, and absolutely apt for a lazy Sunday at home.

However, in terms of sonic soundscapes, I found that this album was very similar to Norah Jones "Not too Late", in that it got very tedious and 'same-sounding' towards the end. "Bound" and "Heart of Stone" for example, are songs full of good intentions, but its hard to not reach for the 'next' button when these songs are on. Other than this minor quibble, the entire album is rather enjoyable.

Perhaps the most inspiring track, overall, is "Miss Magnolia", a relentlessly upbeat, wordless chorus song with a harmonica and banjo at centerstage. This lovely instrumental piece ends the album on a high note - it would have worked very well as album opener as well.

Matt Costas' "Unfamilar Faces" may not change the way you look at music, but its a fantastic piece of fresh indie music with soul. If you're a fan of folk-rock, acoustic-rock, or even some bluegrass, you should pick this up. There are at least four quality songs here that are worth your money.

Four Stars

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, January 30, 2008

By	J. Stepniowski - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just got Unfamiliar Faces and Songs We Sing and must say they're both pretty awesome! Having never heard of Matt Costa, I ordered these on a whim based on the relationship with Jack Johnson.

Both of these albums have a fresh, folky and uplifting feel to them. One of the other comments referenced a "Beatles" feel, and I would agree with that also.

As a side note, my three year old loves these albums! He enjoys Jack Johnson as well, maybe because both of these artists seem to create music that's not overcomplicated. It's just pure, meaningful music that makes you feel good.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bringing back the keys, January 24, 2008

By	Jeffrey Gehring - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Matt Costa channeled the Beatles, brought in the folk, and even busted out bluegrass in this complete and themed based album. Fantastic work from a budding musician. Love the keys throughout the album, they're full, vibrant, and catchy. The final song grabs you even if you don't like bluegrass. Bravo, Mr. Costa and Brushfire records.