Matthew Good Band VS. Matt Good

MCG

How do you think Matt Good's solo records compare with his past work with the Matthew Good Band? I thought if I could find any relative opinions, I would find them here...

Personally, I really really really miss the Matthew Good Band. I do appreciate Matt Good's solo records and I think he is a very talented songwriter. However, I hold many MGB albums in the same high regard I hold PJ's records. "Underdogs" and "Beautiful Midnight" are about as close to a pure rock 'n' roll driven record as you'll ever find and "Last of the Ghetto Astronauts", "Raygun EP" and "The Audio of Being" were all fantastic too. Many give Matt Good a lot of credit for being more political, both "Avalanche" and "White Light Rock 'n' Roll Review" were good but it seemed like they were lacking something I couldn't quite put my finger on, perhaps Dave Genn...

Miles Apart

I wasn't aware that he released solo albums. I'll have to look into that.

chimpat

Real tough call here. The MGB was a great rock n' roll band, driving guitars, the whole deal. I absolutely LOVE Matthew Good's two solo albums, the guy is an amazing song writer, no doubt about it. I really don't know what's better, both great, but different.

exhausted

MGB by a hair for me but really only because the songs i connect with most came from that era.

rockpants

MG solo. I listen to some of the earlier stuff (mostly Underdogs) and think, "ya' know, that's actually kinda boring". But both sides had/have their strengths and weaknesses.

If anyone's missing Dave Genn, pick up the latest 54-40 record, "Yes To Everything".

Echoes

I am perfectly happy with both. While I think Avalanche is his best work to date, I like such a ridiculous amount of MGB songs that I think I prefer it more. The quality as a whole seems to be higher to me. That being said, while I prefer the MGB, I certainly don't miss them, as I love Mg's solo career

sickwillie

I'm still a much bigger fan of MGB than Matt's solo stuff. I mean, it's passable and all, but it just kind of lacks that punch in the face that you got when Dave Genn was playing guitar. For me, the pinnacle was and always will be "Audio of Being". Matt was known to have trashed that album even when it was just released, but I think it really shows a passion and emotion that Matt hasn't really explored since.

I know he's big on social issues, and that's fine with me. But with MGB, there weren't as many political overtones, and much more (for lack of a better word) soul. Listen to a song like "Tripoli" and hear the difference. That song is fucking chilling, and nothing in Matt's solo repetoire touches it.

That's where I stand, anyway.

tigerthelion

Miles Apart wrote:

I wasn't aware that he released solo albums. I'll have to look into that.

"White Light Rock and Roll Review" is fantastic IMO. Great songs and great drumming from Pat Steward.

Echoes

tigerthelion wrote:

"White Light Rock and Roll Review" is fantastic IMO. Great songs and great drumming from Pat Steward.

Avalanche is one of the better albums of the last 5 years

restlesssoul

MGB is better by far ....although i admit i havent been into MG by himself so my opinion is uninformed