CD Review- Matt Stillwell- Shine

The Background

"I watched friends do showcases and hope someone would show up," Matt Stillwell says. "I watched them being promised record or publishing deals that might or might not happen. So I made the decision that what I needed to do was to eliminate the ‘no’s, and the way to do that was to go build a following." Now, with the release of his new CD, he showcases the qualities that have brought him to the threshold of national attention- the songwriter's knack for finding the truth in any situation, the vocal chops to do justice to the joy and passion in each song, and the ability to take an audience on a roller-coaster of emotion and leave them better for the ride.

The Review

You just have to watch his music video on GAC for "Shine" to know that Matt is best known as a performer with a rowdy sense of fun. An anthem to the joys of the Mason jar and the moonshine produced in places like Matt's beloved western North Carolina., it's a great career starter for this longtime honkytonk hound. It's upbeat, memorable and catchy all at the same time. There is also "Whiskey Well," about the process of turning heartache into a party, and "Dirt Road Dancing," celebrating the outlook that says the music should be loud, the drinks cold and the men and women single and rowdy. He's equally as good slowing it down, however. You'll find Matt's keen eye for the nuances of love and loss, and the twists and turns of a good story. There is "Somewhere Between Me And You," with its unblinking look at a relationship gone wrong, "Go Away," dealing with the aftermath of lost love, and "Moment Of Weakness," a deep look at temptation and the decisions that change everything. After keying on his own songwriting skills with five of the album's ten songs written by his hand, he demonstrates his ability to make a song his own, as he captures all the longing in Ryan Adams' "Oh My Sweet Carolina." This is a great sophomore indie effort.

Sounds Like:

Mark Wills

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):

Shine

Sweet Sun Angel

Dirt Road Dancing

Oh My Sweet Carolina

The Verdict:

Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five