Album Notes

Brooklyn based Matty Charles and the Valentines are: Matty Charles on guitar and vocals, Josh Stark on upright bass and backing vocals, and D.J. Mendel on drums.

" Even in the oft quiet and cozy confines at Pete's, the audience has to lean closer to hear the delicate storytelling of Matty Charles' songs. Only occasionally does the band pick up the tempo or the volume, but Charles' slow ruminations, backed by upright bass and old-style country brushwork, reward the attention with warm, well-considered tones and poignant tales of love. The core of the music, however, is his voice, which has that rare blend of resignation and gritty hope one seldom finds this side of Guy Clark." - Village Voice (Dufresne)

" Matty Charles and the Valentines play original music that reaches back to mine the riches of American roots music while gracefully avoiding the usual pitfalls of being eclectic or anachronistic. Matty's singing, sorrowful and buoyant by turns, gently undoes your heartstrings, lulling you into a state where you can believe in sweetness and true love, if only because he does." - Art Forum (Kushner)

" I'm not going to try to compare crooner/guitar picker Matty Charles to Chris Isaac, especially since Charles is a whole lot better looking, or Hank Williams, because he's probably tired of that. So I'll just say that Charles and his band, the Valentines, play original broken-hearted ballads that sound like they drifted in from some lonesome-wind tavern, soaked in whiskey and reverb." -Jane Magazine (Hambrecht)

" Wednesday night regulars Matty Charles and the Valentines play classic tunes that perfectly complement the well-worn, vintage vibe of Pete's interior. Backed by an upright bassist and drummer, frontman and guitarist Matty croons mellow old-style country love songs that infuse the intimate backroom with a warm, foot-tappin' familiarity. Bring a date or just bring your sorrows - either way, some cozy comfort can be found in this trio's polished retrosound." - Flavorpill (JKG)