It is debut album time again with the release of “Pretty Close To Very Good” by The Matt Burke Band. Only it’s not that obvious that you are listening to a debut album as this is an album that has been properly polished for its public appearance.
Let’s start with the songs. They’re not just the plastic one liners of a couple of professional hacks or the soulless meanderings of the part time fame seeker but proper songs with, wait for it, melodies. Played with an understated precision rather than out and out verve, songs like “Another Sad Song” and “White Collar Blues” possess eminent hummability and would make a fine accompaniment to that rush hour commute. Come to think of it, The Matt Burke Band practically define radio friendly for the 25 to 44 age group with their mid paced soft rock with a dash of blues (and a pinch of wry humour in the lyrics) proving undeniably easy on the ear.
I would be easy – and, to tell the truth, quite enjoyable – to make fun of an album called “Pretty Close To Very Good” but instead I have to concede that the title is an accurate description. Proper songs that are nicely performed make for a welcome change and that’s a fact.