MATT SHARP (OF WEEZER, THE RENTALS): Puckett's Versus The Country Boy

Matt Sharp (of Weezer, The Rentals)

Puckett's Versus The Country Boy

© 2003 In Music We Trust Records & Matt Sharp (614511718820)

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Weezer founder and The Rentals front man, Matt Sharp moves away from the power-pop he helped create on the first two Weezer records, and the Moog-driven pop of The Rentals' albums, to create a sophisticated, melodic, sleepy sound of acoustic beauty.

tracks

1 Goodbye West Coast
2 Some Come Running Through
3 Visions of Anna
4 Hey, What You Gonna Do?

notes

After a four year absence, Matt Sharp returns to the music world as a solo artist, emerging with a sparse, acoustic four song EP titled, Puckett's Versus The Country Boy. Hidden away in a small house deep in the countryside of Leipers Fork, TN Matt removed himself to do some thinking, writing and recording for what has evolved into the EP and soon to follow debut solo album.

The sound of his solo work is a big departure from what he is most well known for. The enigmatic front man for The Rentals (Maverick Records) released the seminal lo-fi new wave album Return of The Rentals in 1995, which featured the modern rock radio smash, "Friends Of P." and the critically acclaimed cult-classic Seven More Minutes. The sophomore effort was a glamorous affair of epic ballads and hedonistic celebrations, written and recorded in Barcelona and London, respectively. These were collaborations with some of Europe's most well known artists, such as Damon Albarn (Blur), Tim Wheeler (Ash), and countless others from Brit pop's royalty. The record was completed in a whirlwind of travel and emotion, bouncing from continent to continent in the haze of a passionate scene.

"at that time, I thought I had all the answers, trying to create a tower of song, monuments of sound, with very dense arrangements, a billion tracks of synthesizers, a zillion layers of female harmonies, all to celebrate this friend of mine and to let her know she meant the world to me, but somehow in the midst of all that production and chaos my message got lost in the machine"- Matt Sharp (2003)

Gone are the moog synthesizers, female harmonies and coke-bottle glasses.

The new music unfolds like a late night conversation with a long lost friend.

Central to his musical life now are his two main collaborators, Greg Brown (not to be confused with the folk singer of the same name) and ambient artist Josh Hager. Josh sets the tone of the new material with ghostly sounds that lay under the record's sparse arrangements, giving the music it's contemplative and almost haunting mood. Greg Brown's guitar brings to the record a rustic melodic sense with an authentic American voice.

Beyond that, Matt is probably best remembered as the charismatic founding member of WEEZER (whose bass playing was their heart and falsetto vocals their soul) in 1992. Living through the pandemonium and geek sheek phenomena that was the Blue Album (over 4 million copies sold in the U.S. alone), and one of the most influential, landmark records of the last decade, 1997's Pinkerton (rated number 16 by readers of Rolling Stone in a list of the greatest rock-n-roll records of all time), Matt and the group quietly parted ways sometime in 1998. Leaving the pop life behind, Matt found himself hold up in a small country house, far away from outside influences, without television or radio. The wide open fields of the Tennessee landscape serve as back drop for songs like "Goodbye West Coast", in which the author sings of returning home to visit his best friend's grave. The spiritual tone of lap steel, piano and acoustic guitar echo around the private words that read like a diary. The lyrics, instead of presuming to know all the answers, start to ask a lot of questions that get a dialog rolling.

Before the release of the record on the independent Portland label, Matt, Josh and Greg set out on the road to bring the music as directly and honestly as possible to their fans. Breaking down the barriers between performer and audience, Matt has asked everyone to bring a pillow and sit as close as possible with the band. Depending on the evening, the intimate shows can move from somber mood to light hearted storytelling.

The LA Weekly wrote: " Having just recorded an ambient eponymous solo album in the hermetic Leipers Fork, TN. The reclusive ex-WEEZER bassist and Rentals founder shines most brilliantly in the dark, just left of the spotlight. This is edgy songwriting from a wine flushed inner depth".

Time Out New York wrote: "As bassist and co-writer on WEEZER's first two albums, Matt Sharp supplied much of the vitality that made the group so refreshing. And as the frontman for the Rentals, he perfected the syn-thesis of crunchy pop melodies and mournful lyrics that were his previous band's stock and trade. Is it foolish to bemoan an artist's evolution ? Absolutely. As they've matured, many great pop craftsman - from Nick Lowe to Alex Chilton - have embraced a rootsier approach, sometimes with stellar results. Sharp has explained that he's merely trying to purify his work, citing The Rentals' lush production as an unnecessary barrier between songwriter and listener. Maybe, but what a wondrous barrier it was."

reviews

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  • sleepy time
    author: Jimme

    I'm gonna repeat what a dude before me already said: Goodbye West Coast is worth the money alone. Which doesn't mean the other songs are bad; they're beautiful. I especially enjoyed Hey What You Gonna Do. Good stuff. Buy it. You'll see what I mean.

  • Compelling stuff
    author: Soren

    The opener, Goodbye Westcoast, is worth the effort alone. For a longer, more spaced out version, check out his full lenght

  • Chill Out with Matt Sharp
    author: Will

    I generally go for more upbeat pop-rock a la Weezer or Rooney. Matt Sharp's EP is a nice change of pace though. There's a nice interplay between the guitar and piano. It's more intricate than his stuff with the Rentals. I've never really been a fan of his vocals though, which I find to be a little rough. Good listening for chilling out.

  • Distilled Brilliance
    author: Matt Hammar

    A full turnabout from the majority of the sound on The Rentals' Seven More Minutes. Simple yet lacking nothing, the four songs left me hoping for a hidden track at the end of the EP. Guess I will have to settle for the upcoming full-length release. You will not be disappointed in Matt Sharp's talent.

  • yippee!
    author: Ashleigh

    Matt Sharp can do no wrong, right? I love the place he's found himself with his new CD. I can't wait to hear more.

  • A sweet melodic sound that only Matt Sharp could pull off.
    author: Nick

    The laid back mood, acoustic melodies, and warm vocals of these four gems put you in a relaxed environment. There are good choruses (especially, Good Bye West Coast)and great fills from the other musicians. A must have if you are a fan of Matt Sharp.

  • author: Lando

    matt does it again, i cant wait for more.

  • absolutely beautiful
    author: caroline powers

    this cd is so nice. at first i put it away without listening to it, but once i listened to it i was blown away.

  • Matt Sharp is a genius, he sounds so fresh.
    author: Alex Dougherty

    I just bought the CD today, and being the, huge, Rentals fan I am, I was very pleased that Matt Continues to experiment and show that he has true talent when it comes to writing songs. Matt Sharp is where it's at.

  • Good Stuff.
    author: AmyBoogers

    This has great music, great lyrics, and it makes me think of bob dylan surfing. It is short, but complete. Its folky alternative; which I personally enjoy. Now if your looking for a weezer/rentals continuation this isn't it, but you should try it anyways, because its a soulful and genuine album. :O)

  • hooray for mr. sharp
    author: jocelyn

    4 songs that are all on! thanks, matt.

  • rivers who?
    author: adam

    i love it. matt sharp has real talent. this is ten times anything weezer has put out since his departure. i even like it more than the rentals! visions of anna is wonderful!

  • Matt never fails
    author: Jessica

    I was a little apprehensive when buying this CD, thinking that it couldn't possibly be as good as The Rentals, but I was wrong. The CD is excellent, the songs are beautiful, and Matt is extremely talented no matter what style of music he is performing. I should have known!

  • matt sharp...
    author: iv league

    really, really worth the money. a bit of a departure from his rock days, of course, but still the same quality melodies. puckets has quality and quantity. 4 songs = 20 minutes.

  • Matt is far more talented than rivers and wrote all the weezer songs
    author: Jon

    Matt is amazing...sounds like carlis star though

  • Better than expected, but leaves you feeling short...
    author: Francesca

    The CD was amazing, but it only having four songs after not hearing Matt recorded in so many years makes it very lacking. We want more!!!

  • Matt does it again, just a little short.
    author: Matthew from Roanoke

    Matt Sharp has done it again, he has given us yet another great cd, only it was just so short, being the fan I am, I really wanted more. Matt has taken a step back from all of the massive musicail numbers and settles on an acoustic feel, but the lyrics and trade mark voice are very strong. This is a great ep that shares somes of the feeling he's been feeling for the last several years. It's great to have you back Mr. Sharp, We've all missed you.

  • Fantastic preview. I can't wait for the album
    author: Rob Crow

    Upon first listen, I knew I had gotten something special. I guess one really can't go wrong with Matt Sharp. Everything he touches turns to gold, and I was a bit worried when I heard that he had abandoned his old style of music because I really, really liked it, but the fact of the matter is, he writes good music. Whether it be rock, pop, or like this, more mellow acoustic, it's good music plain and simple. It's a great purchase.

  • Great Album of Great Matt Sharp, he rocks and will rock forever
    author: Peggiefran

    Welcome Matt!!!.. uh, This Cd, is more than we ever expect from Matt. Songs that was created by the genius geek great Mind. I love it. You must love it too. It's awesome

  • I want more!
    author: Jared

    Good songs. I like Matt's version of storytelling. Can't wait to hear more.

  • author: Eddie

    Matt's new cd is great, Some run through is my favorite, but the others stick with me all day too. They're all very well written and are enjoyable to listen too. I've followed him through all his bands and even got to see him live recently which was an awsome experience by itself. solo and acustic suits him well, and I can't wait for the rest of the album.

  • In my top 10 CD's
    author: Brook Nugent

    I love to listen to this CD on my way to work in the morning. I can't help but sing along with it.

  • Sleepy but Sweet
    author: Stephen Palmer

    What a wait but well worth it. "Goodbye West Coast" itself is worth the price of admission. This CD showcases both songwriting genius, as well as wonderful hushed vocals. let's not wait so long until the next one please Matt

  • Sharp just keeps getting better and better
    author: Fred

    Puckett's isn't all that short. The songs take their time, and the arrangements feel complete but also retain a degree of spontaneity (which is a very big part of the live show) While Matt Sharp blows most acts out of the water with this EP, he outdoes even his recorded self with the live show. go see it...now.

  • Hunky dory non-hogwash!!! Tell your friends!
    author: Dano

    I was quite happy to receive Mr. Sharp's Puckett cd. It makes me long for more, please Matt, more, more, more... My wife was even singing along with the Goodbye West Coast track, and she wasn't biased to be doing such a thing.

  • Sorry I missed you...
    author: Flynn

    Having fallen in love with the songwriting of one Matt Sharp, its easy to see why I love this here cd. But despite my bias, its damn good. Its has so much soul, just like everything else he writes. I'm ashamed to say I missed him in St. Louis.

  • Matt Sharp is never one to disappoint...
    author: Bryan

    ...and Puckett's vs. The Country Boy is no exception. This EP is a real window into the last few years of matt sharp's life and the music that he came up with is quite brilliant. Goodbye West Coast and Hey, What You Gonna Do? are my 2 favorite tracks on the cd. All 4 show Matt's versatility as an artist, and are great mellow tunes to listen to. This cd is a great buy and any matt sharp fan would not be disappointed. I'm very excited for his full length release.

  • i like it
    author: rob stoppable

    good, easy listenin' -- waitin' for a full-length record! this'll do 'til then! nice work, ms!

  • Sharp's first solo single brings him back to life!!!
    author: Beck

    I have always enjoyed the musical tunes of matt sharp from his early Weezer days to The Rentals, but his solo stuff is more unique. He brings back the vibrant melodies of his voice in a folky pop style. The acoustic sounds and humming-along melodies are awesome on this single. I can't wait until his first full lenght is released!!! He is truly a talented and loved musician...

  • this cd was like hearing matt sharp's soul
    author: dee patton

    sometimes artists share a small piece of themselves in their music. that is when music is truely great. matt sharp's puckett's versus the country boy is just such an album. listening to this cd was like listening to his soul speak.

  • The heart of Weezer makes his triumphant return.
    author: Chris Kilburg

    This short, sleepy EP of Matt Sharp's is truly wonderful. Four golden tunes wrapped in a blanket of wispy acoustic guitar and beautifully yet ruefully added melodies, Puckett's really lets you into Mr. Sharp's mind and shows you exactly how he feels. Bravo!

  • Good...
    author: Mike Di Natale

    Matt Sharp's first solo release is good, and worth having if your a fan, however Goodbye Westcoast overshadows the rest of the disc, which intern fails which falls short of matching any of Sharp's previous work. On a side note, the packaging and liner notes where pretty cool, and well put together.

  • Matt Sharp's is unsurpassed.
    author: sean holbrook syphlliticsak@aol.com

    At this point I fail to believe that Matt Sharp's shit stinks. Because everything else that comes out of him, his words, musical talent is so beautiful, he cannot make a bad song. So yes I would sit in a bathroom all day just listening to him shit to hear those sounds also. It is a great cd, I cannot wait for more music.

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