Matthew Maher - ​Poemed Rhymes

Matthew Maher

​Poemed Rhymes
self-released; 2015

3.9 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

I can’t help but be jealous of drummers who happen to be really great songwriters and singers. It’s not fair to the majority of musicians who have enough trouble handling their chosen instrument. Matthew Maher is one of those cats who makes his living as a drummer but has also managed to release his own album entitled Poemed Rhymes that happens to be really, really good.

The songs aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel but Maher’s impressive vocal delivery, songwriting and heartfelt lyrics make this album very enjoyable. My only minor quibble with this album is that at fourteen songs it can feel a bit much to take in on one sitting. For a debut I feel ten songs may have been more impactful.

Maher kicks things off with the upbeat “All Grown Up” which is a single worthy song. The lyrics are great and revolve around being “grown up” and still feeling lost in a lot of way. I think of a lot of people can relate to this song. 

The next song “Cheers Pop” is another very well written tune which seemed conducive to people singing along to it. Maher strips things back on “Another Song” to just guitar and vocals. His guitar picking skills happen to be top notch. “Here No More” is a certified highlight and is the most upbeat song about ending a relationship that I have heard in quite some time. 

The same sort of theme ties into the self-explanatory song “I Don't Like You” which also features the benefit of female vocals. As the album progresses there are a number of highlights including “Escape,” the waltz “Together Apart” and the closer “Left It Too Late.”

Poemed Rhymes is a great album. Maher’s off-kilter themes combined with good songwriting is a winning combination. Suffice it to say this is something you will want to listen too.

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