My Silent Bravery’s latest disc Willing To Try reflects the growth of the artist Matthew Wade who records and performs under that band name. Wade’s usual crafty, tuneful music takes another step up with this album. His use of acoustic guitar riffs to augment his hip, jumpy, twitchy, and catchy pop rock workers wonders on these tracks, making each one feel loaded with more groove to move to.
Opening cut “Got It Going On” jumps right into the dance party with its snappy, punchy pull, acoustic guitar riffs, and Matthew Wade’s smooth pop crooner vocal. You can’t help but like it as you tap your toes to its infectious beat and follow its spirited vocal and melodic uplift.
“Hearts Breakdown” finds Wade releasing his vocal smooth and sweet over a twitchy groove, one that has a back and forth motion that keeps the vibe danceable, creating a backbeat that pulls one out onto the floor. It just bops forward with a consistent brittle backbeat that makes you careful not to step on it while you dance to it.
A tribute to Wade’s youth in the 1980s, My Silent Bravery sings “18” over a jumpy beat with a clipped pace, moving to the beat but also jumping over it in just the coolest places. Lyrics about Bon Jovi and Patrick Swayze charm with a soft as a cloud vocal approach during the chorus, a chorus that beautifully builds the warmth of this song.
“Girl You Think You Know” takes things down temp. Wade finesses his lyrics, coating them in more of his honey smooth notes. The chorus has an uncommon lure, light but infectious. “Every Day Is The Weekend” feels a bit exotic in its melodic clip and a bit anthem like in its chorus. Combining those elements makes for a song with a lot of appeal.
Title track “Willing To Try” builds up along a low end line. Over that series of bass notes is sprinkled a line of percussive allure, melodic synth that sweeps the listener along for the ride as much as Wade’s gentle vocal cruise. The song just pulls you in and takes you along for a pleasant joy ride.
“I’m Wrong” skips along a pushy backbeat as pretty tinkling, melodic instruments beep and bleat with their perky intrusions. Wade cruises over all with a soulful vocal application that adds an element of street hipster charm. “U Turn” offers a smooth, sprawling glide. Acoustic guitar strumming is, as ever in this CD, a stately presence among a fun, sweet pop confection.
“Denial” hums with a polite bass line. Its tricky beat and twitchy rhythm guitar pattern keep the listener moving his feet. “Split Second Memories” grooves heavy as Wade swings it with jumpy jive. It’s one of the catchiest songs in an album of catchy. This one chugs with muscular authority, strong enough to make the listener picture an entire dance company on stage for their finale as there is enough going on for the company to do its thing.
“What Are You Waiting For,” blissfully slow and sweet, lifts the listener with its wide sweep and upward motions. It’s a tune that one can get peacefully lost in. “Homecoming” closes the disc with a pleasant hug and kiss goodbye. Wade approaches this one with a singer-songwriter’s warmth, an earnest appeal at the heart of the song that can hit a listener’s soft spot.
Once again, Wade has whipped up a fun, hip album of catchy, danceable pop. This latest CD released under his moniker My Silent Bravery, produced by Jimmy McGorman, proves his strongest work in a career delivering this genre of music to his fans every few years. We can only hope that this New England pop song craftsman finds a lot of success in getting his music out to the masses. The masses could use this music as an antidote to the world as it is today.
