Swindon Music

Just found this review in the depths of blogger written when the EP was first released, but thought it might be worth sharing.


If you've ever read any of my live reviews before you'll know I'm a massive Matt Kilford fan, and can imagine the anticipation I felt waiting for this EP.
For some people there are certain songs that are sacred, and should never be covered by another living soul, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujuah is one that resonates for many, for me, those songs are Matt Kilford's.

My favourite track of the E.P is the first, the enchating 'Zurich' and even after hearing a hundred times I think the first line 'Where'd you go my love?' would still chill the spine and tingle the toes. Given the slowness of the lyrics and the softness of Matt's voice the guitar actually has some pace to it which makes it an even better listen. A song that has something special about it, akin to the quiet persistence of a dream.

The remaining songs on the EP are nothing less. 'Know By Now' is the fastest and some would say most cheerful of the pack, although to describe one of Matt's songs as 'cheerful' is just a bit wrong...
Hindsight for me has the best and most haunting lyrics and will take you back to lost childhoods and broken families, even if yours was always found and fixed. The final song 'House on the Hill' is my least favourite, a little too slow for me, but still a great song. Which says it all really.

All the tracks are a good length, and of great quality. And if you had't already gathered I'm a massive fan of this E.P, as should you be in the near future. Although it has to be said, these songs are always best enjoyed live.

I agree . Great singer

Just a shame he 's so damned ugly

Thankgod for the hats..

Great E.P and great review.

Exerts from reviews over the past year

Nightshift

"When his powerful voice fills the room, the audience listens in awe. He plays melancholic guitar riffs crafted in a way that resemble Joni Mitchell's painfully soft accounts, Rufus Wainwright's polished arrangements, or even a sleepy Mugison in a winter morning"



Green man music

"And so it is with Matthew Kilford's songs, often there is more space in the songs than actual music. The art is knowing how to create such a delicate frame work that the emptiness is transformed into atmosphere and anticipation that has you holding your breath and this is something at which he is a master."



Nightshift

"unlike a lot of acoustic troubadours, he studiously avoids self-pity, preferring a warm, personable feeling of resignation"



Oxfordbands.com

"Listening leaves a lovely warm tingling glow, like a quality brandy on a cold evening, and it’s clear that Matthew Kilford is some distance ahead of the army of local zombie strummers."



Ear Music

"Great acoustic club music - the perfect end to a night of singer songwriters, Matthew and his band have grabbed our audience's attention every time they've played at Monkey Chews. Soothing music without being downbeat, played by musicians who know how to play their instruments - a soundman's dream!"



Oxfordshire Music Scene, issue 5 Spring 2009

"Matthew Kilford’s brand of stripped down, acoustic songwriting is refreshing, and even, dare I say it, uplifting in its un-fussy approach to music and performance – which is pretty intense once you tune into the fact that all you’re getting in one man, his voice and a guitar. I’m no psychologist, but beneath all this self-effacing commentary is a man brave enough to bare his soul in front of strangers, with results that are both pleasing and endearing."



Oxford Punt Review by Oxfordbands.com

"His voice is soulful and plangent. But while the material itself is downbeat, it’s intelligently reflective rather than morose or self-pitying and is pleasantly undercut by warm inter-song wit. The calm assuredness of Matt’s delivery is crucial to his success, giving his songs space and time to hit home. It was an unhurried performance of unhurriedly beautiful songs."



Camden Crawl Review by Sic Magazine

I'm off to The Spread Eagle pub for some unspecified semi-acoustic stuff put on by Andy Ross ex of Food Records. Now, completely by chance, I see the performance of the weekend. Matthew Kilford. He is a soulful singer songwriter, but soulful in this case shall be taken to mean like John Martyn not (shudder) James Morrison. His voice is extraordianry, a rich instrument indeed."

now we know why he always where's the hat....... it's to constrict his head and stop it from becoming too massive from all the positive reviews.