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Matt Lewis Band : Summer Soulstice
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Put Sublime and The Violent Femmes in a blender, pour in funk, jam rock and espresso, and you'll be close - until Lewis starts freestyling or one of his tongue-twisting, reggae-style raps.
Genre: Rock: Americana
Release Date: 2006
Summer Soulstice
Matt Lewis Band
Record Label: Hatcher Pass
  • Download Album (MP3) - $9.99

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. Stars 5:40 + MP3 $0.99
2. You & Me 4:27 + MP3 $0.99
3. Country Song 3:49 + MP3 $0.99
4. Not Gonna Let You Let Me Down 3:41 + MP3 $0.99
5. Andria 4:27 + MP3 $0.99
6. Simple Things 3:30 + MP3 $0.99
7. Summer Song 4:07 + MP3 $0.99
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Album Notes

The Matt Lewis Band

James Brown has gone undisputed for the past forty years as the Hardest Working Man in Show-biz, but the Matt Lewis Band may soon change that.

Drawing heavily from the sunny So-Cal sound of acts like Jack Johnson and G-Love, the Matt Lewis Band has a full, relaxed sound. Their self-titled 2004 debut is marked by the easy grooves of tracks like "Killing Time" and "Gravity," the punk-pop crossover of "Away From Myself," and the dorm room sound of "In For a Ride" and "River."

The constant throughout this genre-hopping is Lewis’ rapid-fire vocal delivery. Akin to having the Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson or Blues Traveler’s John Popper front Sublime, the sound is at times familiar but never really boring. And the band, drawing from influences as diverse as singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson to rock legends Led Zeppelin create a funky backdrop that isn’t afraid to break into a jam or mellow out for a soft acoustic set.

Their album – which yields some great moments – only tells half the story. The Matt Lewis Band is touraholics, and not even paying $3.00 a gallon can stop them. In the past four months alone they’ve played over seventy shows and aren’t planning on slowing down. Spreading what Lewis calls a “vibe of unity and fun,” he and band mated Chad Bates, Cameron Runyan, and Jamie Timm are at any given moment probably driving to a show, playing a show, or driving back from said show.

This love for the stage is the band’s strongest asset. It has allowed them to capitalize on the strengths of the album, fix its mistakes, and constantly reinvent themselves and their songs. Growing from their reggae heavy roots, the Matt Lewis Band is quickly becoming a funky soul jam band with an amazing live show.

This is a group that, in both the literal and figurative sense, is gong places. So keep your ear to the ground: the hardest working up-and-comers in showbiz are bringing their eclectic mix to your town – and every other town along the way.



Reviewed by Zach Pendleton in Square Magazine

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REVIEWS

Summer Soulstice
author: bonnie salles
                            
I heard Matt Lewis Band in Merced, CA at the Merced Theater Restoration music extravaganza.  He was the last one to play and they saved the best for last, for sure! He is amazing.  This album is great.  I LOVE it and the other one he has out, too.  The vocals are so fun, I listen to this album over & over.  Please let me know if you ever play near Merced, CA.

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author: Michael Naputi
                            
been a longtime since a new band can kick it off like they do.Keep up the great work

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Funky and fresh!
author: Rona Johnson
                            
I first heard Matt Lewis Band in Girdwood, Alaska and I can't get enough! Upbeat and fun music that makes you want to dance. If you don't smile when you're listening to MLB, you need to check for a pulse...

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Matt Lewis Band is still working the magic
author: Clint
                            
I first heard of Matt Lewis in Talkeetna Alaska.  There were about 10 of us in my friend's room and Matt Lewis, Jarod Woods, and Brinton Jones (then performing as the BiPolar Bears) were rocking out like there were 50,000 people there.  

I loved the Matt Lewis Band immediately.  I picked up their first CD and  have listened to it so much it is imprinted in my brain.  I love music.  I love Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, the Grateful Dead, etc.  These guys are right on that same level with my favorite artists...literally.  Everyone that hears me jamming these guys out instantly becomes a fan.

I waited and waited and waited for their second CD.  I saw them live every chance I got.

When I finally got this CD, I wasn't dissapointed.  If there was one bad thing I could say about it, it's that the seven songs go by too fast.  Seems a little short...Come on, at least give me  nine tracks.

Anyways, compared to their first album which had a 'dorm' sound to it, this one is a bit more slow, mixed with lots of reggee and smooth flowing beats.  

The lyrics on the songs on this album touch me though.  It reminds me of the way I think.  The chillness and awesomeness of life and focusing on whats important.

Is this album better than the first?  I'd have to say no.  Is it worse...no, no way.

It's different.  I look forward to seeing these guys up here in Alaska again and watching them perform a new set of songs.

Long story short, pick up this album...you won't be dissapointed.  If anything, you'll be addicted.

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