Pop/Review Matt Tiegler - Hands Free Down Hill
Chicago songwriter, actor, and playwright Matt Tiegler returns to the studio after a long hiatus from recording. “Hands Free Down Hill,” Tiegler’s 3rd studio recording, takes a more guitar-driven, power pop approach than his lushly produced last record, Gods & Heroes (Waterdog Records), produced by Ralph Covert of the Bad Examples.
The latest album by Matt Tiegler, an all-around artist who is also a writer, actor, and playwright hailing from Chicago, came back to the studio for a new recording after a long break. The most recent of these is his album ‘Hands Free Down Hill', which marks an exciting change in his music path. He has incorporated much more of the guitar and pop power instead of being lushly produced in his previous album “Gods & Heroes”.
Tiegler’s readiness to experiment in terms of sound has made “Hands Free Down Hill” an implication of embracing a whole new musical orientation. This difference can be observed in terms of production and instruments used for this album compared to those used for the previous one. “Gods & Heroes” exhibits an elaborate mosaic of jazz, orchestral, and world music-based instrumental colors, which are very different indeed compared to Hands Free Down Hill, which rocks with a more direct, straightforward, and guitar-oriented approach.
Evanston-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tommi Zender is quite skilled in carrying out the production duties of this album. The musical composition of the disc stands to demonstrate Zender’s proficiency in creating the album’s acoustic structure with multiple guitars and a variety of percussions, harmonium, keys, and his own voice. This results in smooth integration of individual components, which gives the track more dimension and depth. In this regard, the fact that a large part of the recording was done at Zender’s own facility indicates a certain intimacy and familiarity with the entire process of production.
The most noteworthy feature of “Hands Free Down Hill” is the power-pop sensibility that permeates every song. As always, Tiegler’s abilities as a songwriter come across in his creation of memorable melodies and well-composed choruses. It’s infectiously energetic and lively, so joyous to listen to.
This decision to work together with producer Tommi Zender to record and mix at Kingsize Sound Labs The recording is extremely polished and professional, truly reflecting the musical abilities of everyone in it. This is a testimony to the booming music culture and the wealth of talents present in Chicago.
To sum up, in “Hands Free Down Hill,” Matt Tiegler takes major steps forward as a man in his own right. This is an album that shows development and diversity; in other words, it is the proof of an artist’s ability to move on with time while still staying true to himself as a composer. This record stands out in Chicago’s musical environment as an interesting addition by this multifaceted artist, which proves the endless talent of this artist. Fans of Power Pop and all those who revel in musical innovations and transformations should definitely take a listen to Matt Tiegler’s “Hands Free Down Hill”.