4938 - MATT MAYS + EL TORPEDO - Terminal Romance (2008)

MATT MAYS + EL TORPEDO
''TERMINAL ROMANCE''
2008
46:08

1/Building a Boat/3:37
2/Digital Eyes/3:06
3/Tall Trees/2:52
4/Rock Ranger Record/2:01
5/Terminal Romance/7:39
6/Shining Eyes/4:46
7/Nothern Belle/3:26
8/Stand and Deliver/4:09
9/Laser-Guided Love/4:06
10/The Hunter, The Hunted/5:05
11/Long Since Gone/5:21
12/Tall Trees (Acoustic)/2:22

Matt Mays /Guitar, Bass, Moog Synthesizer, Oberheim Synthesizer, Piano, Shaker, Vocals, Vocoder
Dale Murray /Pedal Steel
Andy Patil /Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Jay Smith & the Majestics /Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Jon O'Brien
Released in 2008, Terminal Romance is the fourth album from Canadian rock vocalist Matt Mays, and the second to be credited with his backing band El Torpedo. Produced by Grammy-nominated Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest), the grungier follow-up to When the Angels Make Contact includes the singles "Tall Trees" and "Building a Boat."

BIOGRAPHY
by Mark Deming
Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays has become one of the nation's most popular new artists since hitting the road with his backing band, El Torpedo. Born on August 10, 1979, Mays first came to the attention of music fans as a member of the Nova Scotia-based alt-country band the Guthries, who formed in 1998. the Guthries released their first album in 2000, Off Windmill, but while the album was praised by critics and fared well with fans, Mays opted to strike out on his own. Mays released his first solo album in early 2003, simply called Matt Mays, and in order to tour in support of the release, he assembled a road band featuring Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, with Mays handling lead vocals and trading off guitar lines with Murphy. Extensive roadwork in Canada helped the band win a loyal fan base, and Mays gave his band co-star billing for his second album, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, released by Sonic Entertainment in the spring of 2005. The songs "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major hits in Canada, and the band was chosen to open a major Canadian tour by the Black Crowes. Mays began making noise in the United States after playing a showcase at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Conference and appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in late 2006 Matt Mays + El Torpedo finally received a belated release in the United States through the independent 02:59 label. As Mays and El Torpedo began touring the United States to push the album in America, they were also playing larger shows at home in support of album number three, the ambitious When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007, Mays relocated to New York City in order to better promote his career in America, and guitarist Jarrett Murphy amicably left El Torpedo; Jay Smith, from the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, signed on as the band's new guitarist in April 2007.
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4937 - MATT MAYS - Music From ...When The Angels Make Contact (2006)

MATT MAYS
''MUSIC FROM ...WHEN THE ANGELS MAKE CONTACT''
NOVEMBER 28 2006
66:41

1/Intro
Matt Mays/0:48
2/The Past
Matt Mays/4:25
3/When the Angels Make Contact
Matt Mays / Richard Terfry/4:13
4/1 for the Motor
Matt Mays/3:36
5/Spoonful of Sugar
Matt Mays / Dale Murray/7:20
6/Never Saw It Comin'
Matt Mays/3:10
7/Officer Downe
Matt Mays/1:41
8/Heroine
Matt Mays/3:12
9/850 Commando
Matt Mays/5:11
10/The Dartmouth Soundsystem
Matt Mays/2:07
11/Midnight Is the Time
Matt Mays/4:15
12/You'll Never Come Back
Matt Mays/3:01
13/The Highway Is a Scary Place/1:15
14/Under My Senses
Matt Mays/4:07
15/When the Angels Make Contact (Reprise)
Matt Mays/1:15
16/Rough N' Tumble Come Down
Matt Mays/4:14
17/J.J.'s Theme
Matt Mays / Dale Murray/4:03
18/Mornin' Sun
Matt Mays/8:48

Charles Austin /Engineer, Feedback
Buck 65 /Vocals
Matt Mays /Bass, Bells, Cello, Clapping, Drums, E-Bow, Fender Rhodes, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Marimba, Organ, Pedal Steel, Percussion, Piano, Radio, Reverb, Saz, Screams, Shaker, Slide Guitar, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Bass, Tambourine, Vibraphone, Vocals, Vocoder
Ian Mosher /Euphonium, Organ
Dale Murray /Cello, Fuzz Guitar, Guitar (12 String), Pedal Steel, Vocals
Darren Van Niekerk /Guitar

REVIEW
by Jason MacNeil
The follow-up to his self-titled album sees Matt Mays branching out from his garage-like, Neil Young rock motif. But the musician is quite capable of pulling this off thanks to some outstanding songs and odd but rather effective pieces. "The Past" is a pinch of country rap supported by a great, warm, folksy Americana feeling. Assisted by several friends such as Mike O'Neill and former bandmate in the Guthries Dale Murray, Mays veers into new territory with the title track that sounds like a mix of electronica and alt-country with better than expected results. A cameo appearance by Buck 65 doesn't hurt either. Another charmer has to be "1 For the Motor" that would fit perfectly on a Tom Petty solo effort like Highway Companion or Wildflowers. The album also contains its share of lengthier tracks such as the world-weary "Spoonful of Sugar" that never loses its momentum over the course of seven minutes. It's perfect driving music for long overnight treks. Mays also tends to tap into sparse, barren moments for some highlights, including "Heroine" that has some Springsteen characteristics to it. The first real rocker is "850 Commando" that harkens back to his self-titled album thanks to its bite and garage rock edge. The first miscue comes with "Midnight Is the Time" that is a mellow, groovy tune that has some cheesy vocoder work taking place as well. Unfortunately, another downbeat, organ-oriented ditty called "Under My Sense" also comes off a bit bland, resembling a poor man's attempt at trip-hop. The homestretch atones for these slight aberrations with the murky, surf-guitar sounding "J.J.'s Theme" that is strong yet ominous. "Mornin' Sun" wraps the album up -- a nearly nine-minute odyssey that opens with a touch of gospel and slowly grows into a fine alt-country gem. Although there is a hair too much fat on this album, it is another solid record from this diamond in the rough.

BIOGRAPHY
by Mark Deming
Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays has become one of the nation's most popular new artists since hitting the road with his backing band, El Torpedo. Born on August 10, 1979, Mays first came to the attention of music fans as a member of the Nova Scotia-based alt-country band the Guthries, who formed in 1998. the Guthries released their first album in 2000, Off Windmill, but while the album was praised by critics and fared well with fans, Mays opted to strike out on his own. Mays released his first solo album in early 2003, simply called Matt Mays, and in order to tour in support of the release, he assembled a road band featuring Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, with Mays handling lead vocals and trading off guitar lines with Murphy. Extensive roadwork in Canada helped the band win a loyal fan base, and Mays gave his band co-star billing for his second album, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, released by Sonic Entertainment in the spring of 2005. The songs "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major hits in Canada, and the band was chosen to open a major Canadian tour by the Black Crowes. Mays began making noise in the United States after playing a showcase at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Conference and appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in late 2006 Matt Mays + El Torpedo finally received a belated release in the United States through the independent 02:59 label. As Mays and El Torpedo began touring the United States to push the album in America, they were also playing larger shows at home in support of album number three, the ambitious When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007, Mays relocated to New York City in order to better promote his career in America, and guitarist Jarrett Murphy amicably left El Torpedo; Jay Smith, from the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, signed on as the band's new guitarist in April 2007.
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4936 - MATT MAYS + EL TORPEDO (2005)

MATT MAYS + EL TORPEDO
''MATT MAYS + EL TORPEDO''
MAY 10 2005
63:47

1. Stand Down At Sundown/5:45
2. Travellin'/4:01
3. Cocaine Cowgirl/4:24
4. The Plan/3:31
5. Ain't So Heavy/3:44
6. St. George's Lane/4:57
7. Move Your Mind/3:02
8. What Are We Going To Do Come The Month Of September?/7:39
9. Good People/4:27
10. Lost Souls/3:27
11. It Don't Matter/3:10
12. On The Hood/4:56
13. Time Of Your Life/4:31
14. Wicked Come Winter/6:17
All Tracks By Mays

Tim Baker /Bass, Drums, Percussion
Kathleen Edwards /Vocals
Kate Maki /Vocals
Matt Mays /Arranger, Guitar, Harmonica, Pedal Steel, Vocals
Dale Murray /Pedal Steel

REVIEW
by Jason MacNeil
Matt Mays was originally in the Guthries, a roots-cum-alt.country band that enjoyed some success with a few albums. On this, his sophomore solo album, the singer has utilized an almost pristine balance -- fusing at times the jagged, loud garage rock of Neil Young into a tighter, more polished Tom Petty format. This gorgeous combination makes it easily one of the more impressive albums you'll hear, exemplified to a T on the rollicking opener, "Stand Down at Sundown." The nearly six-minute track grabs you by the throat and dares you not to hit the replay button time and time again, mixing Young's flair with a crunchy opening groove that is a distant cousin of Sheryl Crow's "If It Makes You Happy." "Travellin'" takes the tone down a notch with its midtempo roots feel as Mays nails the chorus. It's not quite Petty-esque, but producer Don Smith, who previously worked with Petty, produced several tracks on this album, including this one. However, nothing sounds more like Petty than the light but delectable "On the Hood," resembling something cruelly omitted from Into the Great Wide Open. "They're all looking for hits/I'd rather lay on the hood," he sings. He also delivers "St. George's Lane" and the world-weary "Good People" with a pretty country-rock flavor featuring some organ and pedal steel accents. However, the first single, "Cocaine Cowgirl," is a full-bore rock tune, one that hits the ground running and continues to shift into a higher, lovelier gear with great work from Mays, guitarist Jarrett Murphy, and bassist Andy Patil. But just as pretty is the softer Americana feel of "The Plan," with sweet give-and-take harmonies from Kathleen Edwards. There are also some pure pop nuggets, especially the melodic "Ain't So Heavy" and the slightly deliberate but powerful payoff during "Move Your Mind." Even the tracks that have the feel of coming down resonate, particularly "What Are We Gonna Do Come the Month of September?," with its slow and methodical roots vibe that sounds like a young and sneering Blue Rodeo or Wilco. Another plus is how the songs aren't anywhere near the cookie-cutter variety, often going five, six, or even seven minutes deep. Mays gives one of the better of several Grade A performances with "It Don't Matter," a tight, melodic party tune that winds itself around a country guitar arrangement. The anthem-like closer, "Wicked Come Winter," caps off this album perfectly. "The northern lights in the skies at night/Making music with my friends," he sings on a simply stellar offering. An hourlong album that will take you three hours to listen to.

BIOGRAPHY
by Mark Deming
Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays has become one of the nation's most popular new artists since hitting the road with his backing band, El Torpedo. Born on August 10, 1979, Mays first came to the attention of music fans as a member of the Nova Scotia-based alt-country band the Guthries, who formed in 1998. the Guthries released their first album in 2000, Off Windmill, but while the album was praised by critics and fared well with fans, Mays opted to strike out on his own. Mays released his first solo album in early 2003, simply called Matt Mays, and in order to tour in support of the release, he assembled a road band featuring Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, with Mays handling lead vocals and trading off guitar lines with Murphy. Extensive roadwork in Canada helped the band win a loyal fan base, and Mays gave his band co-star billing for his second album, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, released by Sonic Entertainment in the spring of 2005. The songs "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major hits in Canada, and the band was chosen to open a major Canadian tour by the Black Crowes. Mays began making noise in the United States after playing a showcase at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Conference and appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in late 2006 Matt Mays + El Torpedo finally received a belated release in the United States through the independent 02:59 label. As Mays and El Torpedo began touring the United States to push the album in America, they were also playing larger shows at home in support of album number three, the ambitious When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007, Mays relocated to New York City in order to better promote his career in America, and guitarist Jarrett Murphy amicably left El Torpedo; Jay Smith, from the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, signed on as the band's new guitarist in April 2007.
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4935 - MATT MAYS (2003)

MATT MAYS
''MATT MAYS''
2003
48:53

1. Downtown /4:08
2. So Distant /4:02
3. Where Am I Going? /3:11
4. Full July Moon /5:12
5. Lonely Highway Night /4:31
6. Back Home Weather /7:29
7. City Of Lakes /5:14
8. Your Heart /5:16
9. Hello Highway /3:13
10. Sometime Soon (Movin' On) /6:36
All Tracks By Mays

Charles Austin /Guitar, Producer
Tim Baker /Drums, Percussion, Stomping, Vocals
Bob Egan /Pedal Steel
Dave Marsh /Drums
Dale Murray /Pedal Steel
Benn Ross /Drums

REVIEW
by Tim Sendra
Matt Mays, formerly a member of Halifax's best alt-country band, the Guthries, is a fully paid-up member of the Wilco/Jayhawks melodic country-rock school of music. Mays is a gifted songwriter. He constructs pleasing melodies and writes evocative lyrics. His self-titled record sounds fine too, live and lush with plenty of swelling pedal steel and vocal harmonies topped off by his warm and pleasant vocals. Songs like the driving "Where Am I Going?," the rollicking "Lonely Highway Night," and sadly waltzing "Your Heart" are nice and catchy. The only problem is that Mays' gift doesn't extend to creating a single original note. The entire record sounds like it has been done before and with more energy by Old 97's, with more daring by Wilco, with more passion by the Jayhawks, and with more ambition by Whiskeytown. You get the picture. Mays' album is for the kind of rabid fan of alt-country who needs to get every record by everyone performing the style. Anyone one else will find the record to be pleasant and professional but not very essential.

BIOGRAPHY
by Mark Deming
Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays has become one of the nation's most popular new artists since hitting the road with his backing band, El Torpedo. Born on August 10, 1979, Mays first came to the attention of music fans as a member of the Nova Scotia-based alt-country band the Guthries, who formed in 1998. the Guthries released their first album in 2000, Off Windmill, but while the album was praised by critics and fared well with fans, Mays opted to strike out on his own. Mays released his first solo album in early 2003, simply called Matt Mays, and in order to tour in support of the release, he assembled a road band featuring Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, with Mays handling lead vocals and trading off guitar lines with Murphy. Extensive roadwork in Canada helped the band win a loyal fan base, and Mays gave his band co-star billing for his second album, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, released by Sonic Entertainment in the spring of 2005. The songs "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major hits in Canada, and the band was chosen to open a major Canadian tour by the Black Crowes. Mays began making noise in the United States after playing a showcase at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Conference and appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in late 2006 Matt Mays + El Torpedo finally received a belated release in the United States through the independent 02:59 label. As Mays and El Torpedo began touring the United States to push the album in America, they were also playing larger shows at home in support of album number three, the ambitious When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007, Mays relocated to New York City in order to better promote his career in America, and guitarist Jarrett Murphy amicably left El Torpedo; Jay Smith, from the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, signed on as the band's new guitarist in April 2007.
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2482 - MATT MAYS - Coyote (2012) (By Request)

MATT MAYS
''COYOTE''
SEPTEMBER 11 2012
49:03

1 - Indio/4:17
2 - Airstrike/1:06
3 - Ain't That The Truth/3:54
4 - Take It On Faith/4:24
5 - Loveless/5:00
6 - Dull Knife/5:30
7 - Drop The Bombs/2:59
8 - Rochambo/1:44
9 - Slow Burning Luck/4:02
10 - Madre Padre/1:52
11 - Zita/3:45
12 - Stoned/3:25
13 - Queen Of Portland Street/3:03
14 - Chase The Light/3:55

BIOGRAPHY
by Mark Deming
Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays has become one of the nation's most popular new artists since hitting the road with his backing band, El Torpedo. Born on August 10, 1979, Mays first came to the attention of music fans as a member of the Nova Scotia-based alt-country band the Guthries, who formed in 1998. the Guthries released their first album in 2000, Off Windmill, but while the album was praised by critics and fared well with fans, Mays opted to strike out on his own. Mays released his first solo album in early 2003, simply called Matt Mays, and in order to tour in support of the release, he assembled a road band featuring Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, with Mays handling lead vocals and trading off guitar lines with Murphy. Extensive roadwork in Canada helped the band win a loyal fan base, and Mays gave his band co-star billing for his second album, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, released by Sonic Entertainment in the spring of 2005. The songs "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major hits in Canada, and the band was chosen to open a major Canadian tour by the Black Crowes. Mays began making noise in the United States after playing a showcase at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Conference and appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in late 2006 Matt Mays + El Torpedo finally received a belated release in the United States through the independent 02:59 label. As Mays and El Torpedo began touring the United States to push the album in America, they were also playing larger shows at home in support of album number three, the ambitious When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007, Mays relocated to New York City in order to better promote his career in America, and guitarist Jarrett Murphy amicably left El Torpedo; Jay Smith, from the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, signed on as the band's new guitarist in April 2007.

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