Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Mat Kearney
The Chicago EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 5 tracks: 21 minutes, 25 seconds
Street Date: 2005


In the Fall of 2004, Eugene, Oregon native Mat Kearney snuck on the scene modestly with his incredible debut Bullet on Inpop Records. Mixing acoustic guitars with thick beats, hip hop vocals and melodies that would make a Cold Play fan's ears perk up, Kearney was working with a unique musical formula that few had explored before him. Although Bullet was a critical success, his music has taken a little longer to sink in with the public. Columbia and Aware Records noticed Mat's potential and signed him up shortly after Bullet hit Christian bookstore shelves. In late 2005, Aware released The Chicago EP to give listeners a tease of what to expect from his Spring 2006 album, Nothing Left To Lose.

Kearney fans already familiar with his work from Bullet will be pleased to know that The Chicago EP follows the classic EP format. Chicago picks up beautifully where Bullet left off, introducing two brand new songs as well as a song lifted directly from the debut ("Undeniable") and two new exclusive acoustic renditions. The Chicago EP opens with "Nothing Left To Lose," the first of two studio songs, and easily a highlight among the handful of tracks present. As the title track of his new release, "Nothing Left To Lose" follows in a similar fashion to what Bullet had to offer, only with less of a hip hop flavor. "Chicago," the second of the two new tracks, is presented completely in raw acoustic form and serves as another highlight on the disc. The three stripped-down acoustic tracks lack the studio production polish but clearly don't need it. Those who have seen Kearney live know it's just Mat and his guitar or piano throughout the duration of his set. And if you've seen him live within the past year, there's a good chance you heard these new songs before. Finally, in acoustic form, the Bullet originals "Girl America" and "Middle" sound great in the more intimate presentation and are a real nice bonus for the EP.

If The Chicago EP is any hint of what Kearney has to offer on Nothing Left To Lose, then there will be a lot to look forward to when it streets this year. In the meantime, find yourself a copy of The Chicago EP - it's the best EP to come along in some time.

- Review date: 1/24/06, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Aware / Columbia / InPop Records
. Album length: 5 tracks, 21 minutes and 25 seconds
. Street Date: 2005

  1. Nothing Left To Lose
  2. Undeniable
  3. Chicago (acoustic)
  4. Girl America (acoustic)
  5. Middle (acoustic)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images