Thursday, February 2, 2012

Charlotte transplant celebrates cd release Friday at Double Door


New Jersey native Matt Perrone drew attention a few years ago for penning an acoustic-pop song about “Live with Regis and Kelly” co-host Kelly Ripa called “Fantasy” from his 2003 debut album “Something I Wanted” (he literally handed a copy to Regis standing in line at the show). He’s since released three more albums and moved to Charlotte. He celebrates the release of his fourth, the thematic jangle-pop collection “Seasons,” Friday, February 3 at Double Door (1218 Charlottetown Ave.).

“Seasons” follows its narrator through a year with a series of love songs - hence the theme. Though it begins with the folkier “Oh My Girl” the mood quickly turns upbeat with the jangle pop standout “Through My Eyes.” That sunny late `80’s/early `90’s alt-rock sound (think Matthew Sweet or Toad the Wet Sprocket) continues through the autumn portion of the disc “Addicted to You” turns up the distortion with elements of power-pop and pop-punk.

Lyrically love takes a dark turn, the mood gets heavier, and the instrumentation more acoustic-oriented as the winter portion takes over. There’s an original Christmas song, which is something you rarely find on non-holiday albums. “Let Go” is a moving highlight. The darkness climaxes during “Deserve Me,” which is a sort of `70s arena rock throwback with howling electric guitars supported by hooky keyboard fills. After spending three tracks convincing himself to move on, Spring abruptly finds Perrone changing gears back to the bopping acoustic rock that opened the disc.

Many artists toy with different styles, but “Seasons’” concept is an interesting way to tie those disparate genres together allowing Perrone to flit from sunny acoustic rock to folk-pop to introspective adult contemporary to harder rock. As he reprises the opening track at the close (which contains some subtle musical references to other tracks as well) I’m met with the idea of Dennis DeYoung era Styx veering into acoustic country. That comparison seems random (even to me), but explains why Perrone who falls toward the pop-rock side of the styleline on “Seasons” could easily share the stage with Pat McGee who can easily straddle the jam rock and poppy country-rock line. In fact Brian Fechino of McGee’s band produced three of the tracks.

Perrone shares the stage with Matt Kiefer Music (formerly of the Juliana Theory and the Ataris) at the Double Door Friday. Tickets are $10. Show begins at 10 p.m. 704-376-1446; www.doubledoorinn.com "Seasons" is available on iTunes and Amazon and physical copes will be for sale at the show as well as at CD Baby

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