Mays Matt - WHEN THE ANGELS MAKE CONTACT - [CD]

Matt Mays's third CD, When the Angels Make Contact is a decidedly different journey than his previous efforts, a largely hushed, even-keeled effort that floats from track to track. The disc is a Mays solo undertaking (temporarily separating from his El Torpedo bandmates) and as a result, the music is a little less Crazy Horse and considerably more sonically experimental than his fans might expect. Angels is a soundtrack to the singer's own unreleased film--its dirgy, earthy style and production are apparent straight away. During a handful of the disc's 18 tracks, Mays takes a number of chances, from the mid-song rap (courtesy of indie-experimentalist Buck 65) in "Angels" to the understated simplicity of "Heroine," a lyric-repeating mantra of a tune that is gorgeous in its minimalism. Additionally, "Under My Senses," a downtempo cut that features standout vocals not from Mays, but from fellow East Coast Canuck Kristen Hatt, adds a significant twist. In the end, the result is a album that is two-thirds whisper-soft with sudden extreme shifts into blistering rock--the highlight of which is the roaring Floyd-meets-Sabbath-sounding "Commando." That unexpected number smashes the subtlety of the disc's first half and brings forth a beautiful aggression that rates as one of Mays's finest moments on record. With all the chances it takes, When the Angels Make Contact is both a bumpy ride and a stellar, brave adventure. --Denise SheppardProduct DescriptionMatt Mays