Matt Adler - Stages

Matt Adler

Stages
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Love is the most sung about subject in music. For about as long as music has existed songwriters have written lyrics about different aspects of a romantic relationship. I would say that a majority of these songs could be split into two camps. The first pertaining to actually being in love with that special someone who is painted as an idealized Elizabethan omni-god and the second is dealing with “the breakup.” Everyone knows that these two aspects are just a small slice of the plethora of feelings one encounters within the duration of a romantic relationship. The fact is that relationships go through stages and on Matt Adler’s recent EP entitled Stages he addresses these seldom explored crevices through seven songs. He explains on his Noisetrade page that the listener is able to gain insight into all phases including contentment and non-expectation, excitement and relational discovery, enamor, the end, bitterness, recovery, confidence in the future and hope.

This is no doubt an ambitious idea but it’s all about the execution - so how does it play out? It’s a mixed bag. Adler has some insights into the topics he claims to explore but some of the songs barely scratch the surface and sometimes rely on lyrical clichés. Take for instance the track “All In,” which while it is a well-written song, has lyrics that you feel you've heard about a thousand times before. He sings “You are everything I’ve ever wanted, You are everything I never had, I am trying not to jump the gun but I know that you are the one for me.”

The second track “Love Will Find Me” is a grandiose rock/pop song that sounds like a combination of a boy band and Coldplay. Adler explores the topic of finding love but he only chooses to confront the optimistic/hopeful side. I would have liked to hear him take on the doubts and often self-deprecating thoughts one has when seeking love but he instead seems to feel that love will be found through god’s graces. 

“Promise in the Pain” digs a bit deeper than some of the other songs and delves into the dichotomy that is created between one's heart and one’s mind. The first 3/4 of the song works on a number of levels. Then Adler decides to change direction and go excessively hopeful for the last quarter of the song, which felt detached and too much of a stretch. 

The highlight of the EP is “This Is The Last Time” and revolves around haunting piano, orchestral strings and solid drum work. It’s a lyrically sparse song and Adler pretty much does a lot of “oohhhing” and “aahhing” but it works. The epic heights he tries to reach on this song are met and left me wanting more of that style.

Overall Stages is a decent effort that sometimes falls flat but also contains inspired moments. 

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