Well…sorta. I have been huge Matthew Good fan for many years now, and it amazes me with such drivel in the UK music scene, how Canada’s most famous unknown is not well…um…known in the UK. And on this one issue, I have to say I am grateful to iTunes for providing Matthew Good exposure outside of North America.

Vancouver is Matthew’s fourth album after dissolution of the Matthew Good Band in 2002 and I would argue his strongest. His music, often deeply personal invariably offers a sometimes scathing commentary on the issues of the day. Both these concepts are in abundance in Vancouver.

The album is very accessible musically and lyrically, but provides additional depth to those fans who frequent his blog and are aware of the issues that lead him to describe himself as an ‘activist’. But that’s not to say the album is an inside joke for devotees. I would find it hard if someone could not see something special and human through the turmoil depicted in ‘Silent Army In The Trees’ or ‘Great Whales of the Sea’.Social commentary being the primary aim for the album, with ‘Vancouver National Anthem’ and the afor mentioned ‘Silent Army…’ highlighting thought provoking issues which are dealt with in a firm but not overbearing kind of way. The messages are clear but the songs stand up for themselves and it’s not a case of being preached at with the themes running riot over musicality.

The other thing you can count on MG delivering is at least one monumental angry rocker and ‘Fought To Fight’ is once such tune, and a stand out track. Sometimes sampled sound bites can be contrived but Good has the knack of keeping these reined in.

Album opener ‘Last Parade‘ is for me the album in a nutshell. A medium paced, atmospheric build up recalls songs from MGB’s ‘Audio of Being’ and quickly envelopes you in a tide of angst and sardonic social commentary set to a backing track which I can only describe as ‘optimistic melancholy’. It is one of those songs that hoists you on it’s shoulders for a wild rumpus through the woods at 80 miles per hour. By the time the five plus minute track is over you are already hitting the back button to start it all over again. Truly astonishing and one of Good’s most accomplished songs to date.

For more about Matthew, click here for his frequently updated blog.

* Note: I know this album has been out for a while…I forgot to finish this post off about 6 months ago!