I was sent this album a few months ago to review, at which time it was easily available through Bandcamp, but sometimes things move quickly in the music world and Matt has since been signed to a brand new independent label in the US called OtherSide. The album has been remastered by Robert Rich and will be re-released in January, so Matt’s original has now been removed from Bandcamp. I first came across Matt some years ago due to his connection with Clive Nolan, but most people will know him as singer with one of Australia’s premier cover bands, Echoes of Pink Floyd. Given he is a professional voiceover artist as well, one would expect this to be an album full of harmonies, but instead what we have is an instrumental electronic release which has been heavily influenced by both the Berlin School and Vangelis, while there are also a few Floydian touches in there as well.
However, there is a lot going on here with plenty of flavours to tickle the palate, and there is no doubt that “Rated R” takes its influences not only from the majesty of film composers like John Gardener but also the dynamics and prog of the wonderful Goblin (seeing them perform the soundtrack live at a showing of ‘Suspiria’ was a very special event). He brings in clips from here and there to add to the story he is weaving, the end result being something which never sounds as if it is a debut self-released album but something which has come from someone far more established and well-known. What we have here is an album which has been well constructed with real depth and warmth, something which is difficult to undertake within electronic music, with multiple styles to hand. It is something which must be played on headphones to be fully appreciated, with the result being more than worth the time taken to sit and really listen to it. When this is reissued it will hopefully gain more attention, and is one to keep an eye out for.
