Matt Cattell- The Bedroom Demos
Well it’s taken six years for Matt Cattell to release this CD ‘The Bedroom Demos’ but here it is.
A double CD set, one side acoustic, the other disc full band (although it’s Matt taking care of everything).
The set begins with ‘Trouble’, a recent single, and what a single, I just love this, but this album is certainly no one trick pony. As track two ‘Astronaut’ ably demonstrates, Matt knows how to build a song, and again like much of this album it’s beautifully atmospheric.
Welcome to Matt’s world, Matt is very open about his struggles with mental health, and these songs take the listener on a journey of regret, sadness, hope and happiness. It’s powerful and introspective, but never bleak. Matt’s strong vocals are the perfect foil for the tapestry of sound evident in these essential tracks.
It’s hard picking favourite tracks as it’s all very much a classic set, but ‘Maybe Lady’ would make a great single.
‘Messiah’ puts the set into perspective. This is Matt calling out, but it could be as much about you and me, and that’s the great thing about this album.
Although this is a personal journey, it’s one we can all relate too, we have all been on it in our own way. The album finishes with ‘X Marks The Spot’ and ‘Chasing The Sun’, and it’s great to hear that Matt hasn’t ignored his electronic roots.
That’s the Plugged electric side done, the Unplugged side gives the songs a different dimension entirely. They say a proper song should sound good even when it’s just acoustic guitar and voice. Well this set demonstrates that perfectly. These compositions work even when there is no hiding place, no clever arrangements to hide behind. This is a soul stripped down to the brutal emotional core. In fact I would recommend playing this side first, getting to know the songs a pure as they can be.
Matt said of this album: “It’s been an incredible and emotional journey writing and recording these songs, I’ve experienced so much loss and hurt and at one point I never thought I’d make it through my mental health issues, never mind finish and release this album.
“But hey I have done it and it is without doubt my greatest musical achievement. It tells the story of my life before, during and after my illness and I’m very proud of it. Thank you to everyone who has stuck by me and supported me in my life and in my music. This album is dedicated to you.”
Matt is a major artist, and this is an important album not just for him, but for Coventry music too. If there is any justice in the world a huge amount of people will get to hear this wonderful album. For more information go to Matt Cattell Music on Facebook.
