Singer/songwriter Matt Hannah’s third LP House of Illusion (March 8, 2022) examines the desire to carve out a space of illusion—a place of magic and art—protected from the world outside. Hannah mentions he is “A fan of the director Ingmar Bergman and has always felt drawn to the idea of drawing a ‘magical circle’ around yourself to keep reality out and enchantments in.”
The album contains ten songs and is at its heart warm organic acoustic based Americana. There’s a blend of rock and folk. Hannah often sounds like a mixture of Dylan and Springsteen with a sprinkle of Van Morrison. The album opens with “My Front Door” which is a solid opener revolving around slick guitar, organ, drums, bass and some very nice horns. It's straightforward with no real surprises good or bad but was well delivered and in fact one of the highlights on the album. “House of Illusion” has a similar mood and energy to the first. There’s an inviting warmth in the song which seeps with nostalgia. Hannah gently reflects on childhood days about being in his bedroom, time spent with his grandad and other recollections. The energy rises with “Sidelines” and is more of a rock song. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as well The War on Drugs came to mind on this song. The album progresses with “Light Years” which is another song filled to the brim with nostalgia. “Lost and Found” brings the energy back up once more and is also the most single worthy song to my ears. “Searching for a Poet’s Grave” is perhaps more thought-provoking and pensive than nostalgic while “Last of the Flophouses” is a very stripped back and intimate sounding song where it sounds like you’re about a foot away from the performance. “Places of America '' might be the catchiest and most joyful sounding song on the album which I thought was a highlight. “Real Guitars” is a slow burn while the closer “Silver Lining” is a sweet and tender send off. Hannah isn’t reinventing the wheel with this style and presentation but he reinforces why so many people love the genre. If you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned bands this is your ticket.
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