Matthew Good kicks off U.S. tour with his fifth solo album “Light of Endangered Species.”
This moody collection is a slight departure showcasing his softer side with lush layers of strings, horns, piano and acoustic guitars.
The Canadian rocker takes an unfamiliar direction, displaying arrangements that are a distinct departure from the likes of Born Losers and Last Parade.
Stark and passionate best describe Good’s latest effort and despite its differences, the record still sits comfortably with his devoted followers.
Garvin: What is the personal inspiration for the album?
Good: The inspiration behind the record stems from a conversation that Warne Livesey and I had in England in 1997 about some of the sorts of things we’d like to accomplish in the future. While we’d go on to make numerous records together after that, for some reason it took us over a decade to get around to coming back to that conversation and ultimately exploring the sorts of things we’d discussed.
Garvin: How does it feel to start up the U.S. leg of the tour on the West coast?
Good: It’s going to be a lot of fun. I like playing in the US because it means much smaller crowds and more intimate venues. No big lighting rigs to haul about and all that. I prefer to perform by myself, so to me it’s more of a treat than anything else.
Garvin: What's your favorite thing about Portland?
Good: Like the sign says - keeping it weird.
Purposefully taking the album to a new place was a conscious decision that Good and producer Warne Livesey.
Recorded near his home in Port Coquitlam, B.C., the record’s nine tracks are an exhilarating example of Good’s growth as an artist, showcasing unique phrasing and instrumentation that is perhaps new to his fans.
This is best displayed on tracks like the piano-driven “Non Populus,” running over eight minutes long, anchored by the phrase “done something different.”
Light of Endangered Species tour passes through Portland, 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at Mississippi Studios. Click here for Matthew Good tour details.
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