Matt Sorum’s Fierce Joy
Stratosphere
Rok Dok Recordings
2014
Matt Sorum has among other things been the sticksman for goth rock powerhouses The Cult and later hard rock legends Guns n’ Roses and wimpy hipsters Velvet Revolver, love or hate the guy he’s managed to do a lot in one lifetime, probably more than some people would manage in two; 2014 finds him flying solo, releasing his second solo album a decade after his first attempt with “Hollywood Zen”.
Well, “Stratosphere”, is an interesting concept – not a concept album, but, without the pressure of having to follow some specific trend or genre, or a company breathing down his neck, as in all probability, the whole deal with this “Rok Dok” Recordings, must really be some pretty amicable sort of arrangement, Sorum’s free to express himself without any constraints in a variety of styles that however revolve around an Americana flavored rock sound not to dissimilar to that of say Tom Petty and the Beatles, but obviously, with a lot more modern influences throwing in there.
Initially there’s a half minute “Intro (Stratosphere) Pt. 1” that’s just effects and a simple vocal announcing the album.
There are songs like the pleasant, driftaway, “The Sea” complete with Steel and lap guitars and a distinct southern flavor.
Next up the Beatles meets Bowie “What Ziggy Says” pays tribute to the crazy space persona of the latter while ripping a big page from the songbook of the former. It's got all the madness and the craziness of “Sgt. Peppers” all the trippy psychedelia and makes it quite unique…
“For the Wild Ones” begins with a strong drum & bass beat, that is quite reminiscent of 80s pop synth goth rock. This thing, owes a bit to Matt’s days in The Cult as it has a bit of a feel that it could have fitted quite well in a Cult album with a more rock, orchestration... Also think Billy Idol…
“Good Bye to You” is a rather underwhelming and simple soft, smooth number with a mechanical percussion. But it’s pretty boring in reality.
Likewise, “Gone” is another downer, and while its melody isn’t bad, it doesn’t rise above average, not helped by Sorum’s sufficient but not sort of amazing delivery. The guy is first and foremost a percussionist/drummer. He can sing well enough, but it’s rather doubtful if he’d have a successful career as a singer.
“Lady of the Stone” is a rather dark and dramatic number with strings and an unusual tone, that seems to criticize modern society, how things are in the world today.
“Ode to Nick Drake” should be an obvious (and very acoustic) tribute to wait for it… Nick Drake lol!
“Blue” ups the tempo with its offbeat, carefree summery feel, which is sort of fun.
But “Josephine” kills all the fun with piano and cello making things bleak and grey. It resonates with emotion however which sort of makes it endearing... music’s all about emotion and that's what Sorum conveys past the 2:40 in abundance...
“Land of the Pure” will make you feel like you’re in some club playing “Chillout” eastern music, it’s got a rather interesting flavor to it...
A little before the end come the atmospheric “Killers n Lovers” that has some bluesier moments, some psyched out sections and overall a cinematic feel.
“The Lonely Teardrop” has some really minimal background instrumentation and features, water droplets as a sound effects, while Sorum, half sings, half whispers and arpeggiates on the six strings.
Finally there’s “Outro (Stratosphere) Pt. 2”. The closing “Stratosphere” is a somewhat longer reprisal, of the opening/intro, with some futuristic sound effects as the same voice/Sorum repeats some psychobabble about the Stratosphere...
Overall, “Stratospere” is an interesting collection of songs, from an established musician that doesn’t need to actually follow a “blueprint”, so he’s free to roam and follow his heart…
Provided you like and can take in something pretty much acoustic, in the vein of Tom Petty & The Beatles etc… this is unlikely to disappoint you…
Well, “Stratosphere”, is an interesting concept – not a concept album, but, without the pressure of having to follow some specific trend or genre, or a company breathing down his neck, as in all probability, the whole deal with this “Rok Dok” Recordings, must really be some pretty amicable sort of arrangement, Sorum’s free to express himself without any constraints in a variety of styles that however revolve around an Americana flavored rock sound not to dissimilar to that of say Tom Petty and the Beatles, but obviously, with a lot more modern influences throwing in there.
Initially there’s a half minute “Intro (Stratosphere) Pt. 1” that’s just effects and a simple vocal announcing the album.
There are songs like the pleasant, driftaway, “The Sea” complete with Steel and lap guitars and a distinct southern flavor.
Next up the Beatles meets Bowie “What Ziggy Says” pays tribute to the crazy space persona of the latter while ripping a big page from the songbook of the former. It's got all the madness and the craziness of “Sgt. Peppers” all the trippy psychedelia and makes it quite unique…
“For the Wild Ones” begins with a strong drum & bass beat, that is quite reminiscent of 80s pop synth goth rock. This thing, owes a bit to Matt’s days in The Cult as it has a bit of a feel that it could have fitted quite well in a Cult album with a more rock, orchestration... Also think Billy Idol…
“Good Bye to You” is a rather underwhelming and simple soft, smooth number with a mechanical percussion. But it’s pretty boring in reality.
Likewise, “Gone” is another downer, and while its melody isn’t bad, it doesn’t rise above average, not helped by Sorum’s sufficient but not sort of amazing delivery. The guy is first and foremost a percussionist/drummer. He can sing well enough, but it’s rather doubtful if he’d have a successful career as a singer.
“Lady of the Stone” is a rather dark and dramatic number with strings and an unusual tone, that seems to criticize modern society, how things are in the world today.
“Ode to Nick Drake” should be an obvious (and very acoustic) tribute to wait for it… Nick Drake lol!
“Blue” ups the tempo with its offbeat, carefree summery feel, which is sort of fun.
But “Josephine” kills all the fun with piano and cello making things bleak and grey. It resonates with emotion however which sort of makes it endearing... music’s all about emotion and that's what Sorum conveys past the 2:40 in abundance...
“Land of the Pure” will make you feel like you’re in some club playing “Chillout” eastern music, it’s got a rather interesting flavor to it...
A little before the end come the atmospheric “Killers n Lovers” that has some bluesier moments, some psyched out sections and overall a cinematic feel.
“The Lonely Teardrop” has some really minimal background instrumentation and features, water droplets as a sound effects, while Sorum, half sings, half whispers and arpeggiates on the six strings.
Finally there’s “Outro (Stratosphere) Pt. 2”. The closing “Stratosphere” is a somewhat longer reprisal, of the opening/intro, with some futuristic sound effects as the same voice/Sorum repeats some psychobabble about the Stratosphere...
Overall, “Stratospere” is an interesting collection of songs, from an established musician that doesn’t need to actually follow a “blueprint”, so he’s free to roam and follow his heart…
Provided you like and can take in something pretty much acoustic, in the vein of Tom Petty & The Beatles etc… this is unlikely to disappoint you…