Matthew Szlachetka, former lead singer with The Northstar Session, unveils his self-released solo debut, Waits for a Storm to Find. Despite the syntactically-confused title, this is a fine record, attractively presented with lyric book and effusive acknowledgements, which is filled with self-and-collaboratively-penned songs and strong, clear arrangements.
LA-based Szlachetka’s influences have informed the twelve songs, which see him take in the folk, blues and rock ’n’ roll which he listened to growing up, in an attempt to find his own way through the sound. He bills it as personal and autobiographical, and the album allows Szlachetka to step back and reflect after years of recording and touring,…
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…during which he has performed with names such as Chris Isaak, Brandi Carlile, John Waite and Chris Hillman.
Wasting Time is perhaps not the strongest opener, despite its fulsome arrangement and powerful backing. It’s a serviceable song, but is easily overshadowed by the much better, classic feel of And I See You Now. With its slide and steel combination, it delivers its message well. None of the songs on Waits for a Storm to Find are going to win any awards for originality, but, having said that, all are solidly OK. Come Home for December is possibly the highlight, with piano, accordion, and some nicely worked in backing vocals. The elements of the song work well together, and with its rhythm and pace, it’s slightly more memorable than some of the other tracks.
Szlachetka’s voice shows a good line in development, and being able to move around the styles on the record (as evidenced on Little Things In Life Can Show You Love), and the band he has arranged shows its chops throughout (especially on some of the slower, bluesier numbers like I Can’t Look at Your Face). Several of the songs have some good ‘classic’ motifs, like the fiddle-infused Carry Me Home, and the retro-ish Threw You Away in Los Angeles. Matthew is a good arranger, to boot, and shows some neat touches on All These Lines and the softer, mellower You’re Home to Me, which highlights the album’s strengths in structure and development.