Daring to be Different

Listening to Matt Morris is an amazing experience. Which begs the question: Why has it taken so long for him to release a full length studio album?

One reason might be his songwriting pedigree. He’s written music for Christina Aguilera (The songs are from her multiplatinum album “Stripped”), Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” (incidentally, Aguilera co-wrote this song with Morris and Clarkson and it was nominated for a Grammy), Justin Timberlake and Reba McIntire. This might leave little time for him to focus on his career as a singer. But wait, during 2008 he toured with Joan Osborne and participated in the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. And in 2003, he released an EP of original music, so he has been involved in the music scene as an artist.

Still it seems that Morris’ album “When Everything Breaks Open” is long overdue. Now he’s everywhere. His appearances on “Ellen” and the “Hope for Haiti” benefit have caused a major buzz on this man – and deservedly so.

The first track, “Don’t You Dare,” is what a rock-love song is supposed to be. There are happy surprises in the musical arrangement that fit perfectly with his lyrics. You know he’s using piano, drums, guitars and somehow it sounds inventive and new.

Then there’s the soulful, witty “Money.” It’s the type of song that you want to find out all the lyrics to the old fashioned way – by listening it continuously until you know every inflection and word by heart. Instead of looking up the lyrics on-line, find out for yourself: “How do you make change without money?”

Reggae?

Yes, Morris dares to create a Caribbean musical arrangement and match it up with his Midwestern-sounding voice. He doesn’t try to sound West Indian and that’s refreshing to the listener. It’s another cool track for which you will quickly press “replay” as soon as you hear it fading out, just so that you can experience it again.

Still there’s “Bloodline.” It’s haunting, melodic music and lyrics are an intense experience that you won’t want to let go of. Somehow, Morris does things with his musical arrangements that evoke emotions in the listener that another artist would fail miserably at. Essentially, his artistry is a distinct signature with which he has imprinted every song on this album.

By the time you reach “Eternity,” you will have experienced emotions you never knew you had. His album is that incredible.

If you must find a comparison, then think Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” where every aspect of life is explored from a multifaceted perspective. Perhaps this is why it took so long for Morris to release his debut album. Let’s hope that it doesn’t take a long span of time between this and his follow up record.