Matt Brouwer

Matt Brouwer has spent the last several years crafting quality music yet maintaining a presence somewhat under the radar. Despite the wide distribution of his major label debut, Imagerical, and the indie buzz surrounding it’s follow-up, Unlearning, Brouwer has hovered seemingly just beneath the surface, just about to break through. With his latest release, Where’s Our Revolution, the artist might have just done that and more.

Revolution finds Brouwer at his artistic best thus far, crafting insightful, honest lyrics that lie open against elements of both pop and Americana-flavored music sensibilities. Add to that equation production from longtime musical veteran Michael Omartian and guest vocals from artists like Vince Gill and Amy Grant and it’s a win-win formula for the Canadian import, one that he utilizes to his full advantage.

The album starts out simply, with opening tracks “Come Back Around” and “Beautiful Now” coming across a bit derivative yet possessing their fair share of decent songwriting. Yet, once things hit the upbeat title track, it’s all uphill. “Where’s Our Revolution” incorporates an impressive sonic backdrop and even more impressive lyrics as the artist sings for a generation: “I’ve been lost inside my head / Carrying on a cryptic conversation with myself / This was not in the plans now / Not what I imagined my life would be.” It’s this kind of honesty and vulnerability that marks the remaining tracks and makes this one worth paying attention to.

“Running to Begin” finds Brouwer taking on a more singer/songwriter approach while “Writing to Remember (The North Horizon)” recalls something of Andrew Peterson’s fine work as he sings longingly of home: “I’ve been driving in West Texas / I got lost in Tennessee / Now I’m writing to remember / The way it used to be back home.” “Sometimes” picks up the pace and seems destined for radio with it’s singable hook and infectious melody. The same could be said for the piano-driven pop of “Please Say,” as the artist pleads that “we’ll never settle for anything less.”

While the artist focuses on matters of faith for the most part here, relationships also get a fair turn. Album closer “Good Night’s Sleep” is a quiet love song, finding the artist longing to return to his love. In a slightly different fashion, “The Other Side” focuses on the loss of a loved one and dealing with elements of doubt and pain throughout the process. Featuring the aformentioned vocals of Grant and Gill, it’s a reflective and powerful track.

All in all, Where’s Our Revolution is Matt Brouwer’s coming out party. While the past several years have found him searching for his voice, this release shows that he’s closer than ever to finding it. As “All I Really Want” finds him sharing, “all I want is to be honest,” this album showcases the idea that honesty truly is the best policy.

Tagged as: Matt Brouwer, Where's Our Revolution

↓ 5 comments

#1 Mark on August 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Matt Brouwer’s new album is amazing!!

#2 Sara on August 29th, 2008 at 3:16 am

Thanks for this helpful review! Matt Brouwer’s new CD is so fun, but also helps me connect with the tears I try to keep to myself, too!

I’m right with you on the honesty thing. If his honesty encourages his listeners to do the same, the people around us might not feel so pressured to “have it together” all the time, and then the people around them…

From beginning to end, this CD rocks! Thanks again!

#3 cwize on August 30th, 2008 at 4:45 am

hmmm… I agree that the songwriting is good and the lyrics are well-crafted, but the musical arrangements are bland. It all sounds like things I’ve heard before. Certainly not unique. There’s something to be said for leaving a rough edge or two somewhere on your record, and this one’s far too producer-polished to grab my attention.

#4 Andrew Greenhalgh on August 30th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Cwize, I could see where you’re coming from. It’s true that it’s potentially not the most stunning musical backdrop but, based upon Brouwer’s previous work, it definitely shows improvement. On top of that, I felt the sonic canvas that he chose this time around was perfectly fitting for those well-crafted lyrics. Thanks for commenting!

#5 Paul on November 25th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

Andrew, thank you for this well written review. You’ve opened my ears to things on this record that I never noticed before. I saw Matt play multiple shows in British Columbia back in the day and “Where’s Our Revolution” is Matt at the top of his game on many levels.

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