Matt Vrba - Everywhere In Between
MVM 0001 - 2 / IDC Cat# 0049
Matt Vrba’s debut album "Everywhere In Between" (independently released in June of 2004) is an extroverted and melodically undeniable look into love, life, family and humankind and represents the finest cross-section of the 200 plus songs Matt has written. Many of the songs on the album were written during, or inspired by his epic 7-month walk across America, and they truly illuminate the vision and simple brilliance of this old soul who is sure to be a fixture in the music world for a long time.
For this album, Matt, and producer Adam Berkowitz, were able to line up a group of distinguished musicians (who also act as his back-up band) including; Danny Eisenberg(Counting Crows and Ryan Adams), Adam Berkowitz (Noelle Hampton and Wake), Eric Schramm(Superdiamond), Mike Godwin (Heather Combs and The Doobie Brothers), and Austin DeLone (Elvis Costello and The Fabulous Thunderbirds). In addition to these heavy hitters, Vrba also brought in a few of the Bay Area’s finest voices to lend a hand, including Sonoma County songstress Allyson Paige, Marin County legend Susan Z, and internationally acclaimed vocalist Drew Young.
"Everywhere In Between" grabs a hold of you immediately with the undeniable hook of "Time Well Spent" and never lets go. The infectious bottom line of "confession" hints at Vrba’s earlier rock influences, but not without losing the pop-like melodic lines that define this record. At times it’s easy to lose yourself in the "roll down the window and go for a drive" feel of this record, but Vrba’s lyrics are equally as strong. He delves into love gone bad, tells stories of the road, makes a humorous poke at the media in "Don’t Care", and even slows it down a bit for the last track "Forever Since That Day", a gorgeous ballad sung with Susan Z.
With all 9 songs clocking in around three to four minutes it becomes apparent upon first listen that every song is single worthy and that was exactly what Berkowitz and Vrba intended. They succeeded in every way while still managing to keep the record very cohesive as a whole. The question is not "will you catch yourself singing one of these songs days later, but rather, which one".
Although the production of "Everywhere In Between" is as slick as any major label release, it still maintains the heartfelt edge that so many recent records lose in the process. Despite comparisons with Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, and Edwin McCain, Vrba’s style is all his own and it won’t be long until up and coming artists are comparing themselves to him. "Everywhere In Between" is well crafted, well produced, and easy to listen to... a diamond in the rough in the extremely congested world of independent music.
Track Listing
- Time Well Spent
- Confession
- Maybe
- I Don't Care
- Beautiful Confusion
- Cry Freedom
- Walk Alone
- Wicked Little Suzi
- Forever (Since that Day)
Check out more titles from Matt Vrba at
http://www.mattvrba.com
