In an assertive full-length debut, Matchbook Romance deals out a strong hand and plays it well. The winning cards include expressive lyrics delivered most of the time by twin lead vocals, songs powered by a combination of sharp hooks and dramatic changes in dynamics, and a multi-layered production in which Brett Gurewitz allows plenty of room for the sound to chime, buzz, and roar over Aaron Stern's thundering drums. (Stern especially loves doing double bass drum fills, which sound the way a Muhammad Ali combination must ...
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In an assertive full-length debut, Matchbook Romance deals out a strong hand and plays it well. The winning cards include expressive lyrics delivered most of the time by twin lead vocals, songs powered by a combination of sharp hooks and dramatic changes in dynamics, and a multi-layered production in which Brett Gurewitz allows plenty of room for the sound to chime, buzz, and roar over Aaron Stern's thundering drums. (Stern especially loves doing double bass drum fills, which sound the way a Muhammad Ali combination must have once felt.) They build their choruses and other peak moments around massive blasts of guitar anchored by basslines on the root of each chord for maximum impact. At the same time, they don't skimp on the details; guest keyboardist David Palmer's unobtrusive bleeps and gurgles bring some variety to the otherwise monochromatic timbre, especially in quiet interludes or long final chords. With this sort of intensity and bravura, Matchbook Romance sets a high standard for itself and shows every sign of meeting it on future releases. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, Rovi
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Add this copy of Stories and Alibis to cart. $8.92, new condition, Sold by EB-Books LLC rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rockford, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Epitaph.
Add this copy of Stories and Alibis [Audio Cd] Matchbook Romance; Andrew to cart. $13.99, new condition, Sold by PARK SLOPE MUSIC rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from GARFILED, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Epitaph.
Add this copy of Stories and Alibis to cart. $14.99, new condition, Sold by T J MAX MEDIA rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from GARFIELD, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by EPITAPH.
Add this copy of Stories & Alibis to cart. $24.76, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Epitaph / Ada.
Add this copy of Stories & Alibis to cart. $33.85, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Epitaph / Ada.
