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Mat Kearney
Bullet
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 47 minutes, 17 seconds
Street Date: October 19, 2004
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Mat Kearney is a fresh new face on InPop Records. Raised in Eugene, Oregon, Kearney's roots
in music vary from folk to hip-hop, so it isn't really a surprise that his debut album
Bullet offers a healthy blend of the two. With a deep and friendly vocal style,
Kearney's poetic lyrics are given a strong outlet and a unique accompaniment.
Bullet doesn't quite open as strong as it deserves with the somewhat monotonous,
rather upbeat "Trainwreck." With a rhyme laid over a pop/rock rhythm, the outcome can best be
compared to fellow new artist Paul Wright. "Undeniable" is an acoustic-driven hip-hop
worship highlight that precedes the catchy title track, "Bullet." A thick hip-hop beat and
soulful vocals carry the tragic "Girl America," while the melodies of "In The Middle"
will likely cause Dave Matthews fans to do a double take. But while Matthews is often
an appropriate comparison, Kearney seems to have more control over his voice, offering
a stronger delivery. For the slower material on Bullet, Kearney successfully
blends live, resonating drums with beautiful piano melodies all while nicely balancing between
soft vocals and well-placed rhymes.
Bullet opens with the bold "Trainwreck" maybe a little too hastily. As the album
progresses, Kearney's tenderness in his songwriting unfolds. Much of the record is more
carefully laid out than its beginning might suggest, with "Renaissance" being one of the album's
strongest moments. With a crisp and clean live sound complimenting the emotionally-charged lyrics
that outline a severe car crash and a dissolved relationship, Kearney offers a hopeful chorus,
"I can be the wall when you fall down / Find Me on the rocks when you break down / I heard it in the song
when you call out / But I got to say now it's got to change."
Easily one of the strongest new solo artists you'll find this year in Christian music,
Mat Kearney turns in a debut to turn heads with Bullet. Fans of Paul Wright, John
Mayer, and Dave Matthews will especially want to look into this release.
- Review date: 11/8/04, written by John DiBiase
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 Official Site: MatKearney.com
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Artist Info: Discography
Record Label: InPop Records
Album length: 11 tracks, 47 minutes and 17 seconds
Street Date: October 19, 2004
Buy It: JfH Music Store
- Trainwreck
- Undeniable
- Bullet
- Girl America
- In The Middle
- Renaissance
- Call Me
- Poor Boy
- Walking Away
- Tomorrow
- Won't Back Down
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