MATTHEW_O_NEILL_Golden_Boy.mp3
Matthew O’Neill
Trophic Cascade
(2017, Underwater Panther Coalition)
On this release, Matthew O’Neill melds psychedelia, Americana/roots, alt-country, indie rock, and his own strain of “mountain soul.” “Bridge Builder” is a funky, grinding tune introducing O’Neill’s David Byrne-esque vocals and backing gospel choir. Sounding more like Neil Young in “Golden Boy,” O’Neill is accompanied by haunting organ and pedal steel, creating a lazy day sound. The jazzy “Louisiana” weaves serpentine guitar around an infectious beat and eerie backing vocals. What’s paramount with this recording is O’Neill’s intention to put forth what he calls “mystical awareness.” Spending his youth in the forests and later living nomadically on reservations, he connected with the spiritual culture of America’s original inhabitants. Half of the proceeds of this recording will go toward conservation organizations spotlighting indigenous rights and the protection of our planet.
