mattroberts.com.au press

RAINMAKER PRESS RELEASE, MARCH 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                

Press Contact: Rhonda Kelley

Phone: 617-889-4122

Email: rkelley283@aol.com

By day he is a doctor, working hard to make the world a better place by helping people in need of medical care. By night, though, (and whenever else he can squeeze in a little time) Dr Matt Roberts is a musician, again working hard to make the world a better place, but this time by dishing out music that is suitable for just about every occasion, whether you're looking to sit back and relax or get up and dance.

For the past six years, Dr. Roberts has been pleasing crowds at venues across Australia with his unique and enthralling brand of piano-pop. Along the way, he has created two studio releases, The Ruby Record and the new Now You Are Gone, both released via Sound Vault Records. He has been compared to everyone from Billy Joel and Rufus Wainwright to Badly Drawn Boy and the Postal Service, and his latest effort shows why.

Now You Are Gone was recorded during free weekends and evenings; the album includes the handiwork of co-producer Paul Martin (Soundman for Australian rock deities Augie March and Spiderbait) and award-winning engineer Nigel Derricks. From poetic guitar pop to groove-laden piano soul, Dr. Roberts proves over and over again why he is quickly becoming a major presence in the Australian music scene and beyond.

Dr Roberts says his unique brand of pop targets 'people who find that much mainstream music doesn't satisfy them, but that the artier sub-streams are too hard to get into. I think my words mean something and make sense, while my tunes are ones that I don't mind having stuck in my head, so I guess there's a chance that others will have that experience, too.' This doctor may sound modest about his remedies; as a musician, he just sounds great.

Matt Roberts’ latest album, Now You Are Gone, is currently available for purchase or download via his Web site at www.mattroberts.com.au. To request an interview, please contact Rainmaker Public Relations.

Reviews for Now You Are Gone (2006): 

 

Matt Roberts

Now You Are Gone

A lot of good things have come out of Australia: Paul Hogan, boomerangs, shrimp on the barbie, The Living End, and now Matt Roberts, just to name a few. Roberts is on an indie label half a world away, so I will assume that like me, you're not too familiar with his music. Apparently, Matt Roberts practices medicine, and when he gets some free time he tours the Australian countryside. The music he puts out has been compared favorably to Rufus Wainwright, The Postal Service, and Badly Drawn Boy. I would also add Phil Collins, although I might only compare the two because of the thick accent in the singing and the soft textures of the songs (I really don't want to drag Matt Roberts into the purgatory that is Phil Collins -- really, I don't).

Now You Are Gone is a soft rock/pop album that spills over at the brim with hooks and groovy beats. The first song on the album, "Tiger Ballad," slowly builds using the soft sounds of an organ as well as the singer's willowy voice. Roberts croons in a cool, relaxed style like a guy who regularly wears a smoking jacket. "Tiger Ballad" is a quiet melancholy song involving heartache -- a theme omnipresent throughout the album. The lyrics were poignant and heartfelt without becoming mawkish and overbearing. The following song, "Binary," probably my favorite, shows off Roberts' talent for creating bouncy hooks on the piano. The dancing piano creates the groove and the drum digs it deeper, while the electro-acoustic guitar maintains the bounce and lightness of "Binary."

The first six songs on Now You Are Gone are the strongest -- the album's catchiest hooks and most memorable tracks start off the album. The latter half isn't bad, but an ebb occurs after the overwhelming flow of the first few tracks. "Paris, January" was the first song that completely lost me. It's a track that alternates from French to English and is so sweet and sappy you might get diabetes just by listening to it. The song is sultry and seductive in a way that I'm guessing the opposite sex might appreciate more than the guys.

All in all, Matt Roberts has put out a good pop-rock album. There's nothing too avant garde on here, but it's a CD with a strong heartbeat. The singer/songwriter gives his well-crafted grooves and piano riffs a strong pulse and lays down lyrics that come across as genuine. After repeated listenings, the album reminds me a little more of Iron & Wine with an Aussie accent.  

 

- SpaceCityRock.com (USA)  September 2006

 

 

MATT ROBERTS

Now You Are Gone

By day, Matt Roberts is a doctor, at night he is a singer, songwriter and producer. Dr. Roberts writes intelligent lyrics about life. Matt melds both classic and modern influences into his music that can range from "electro acoustic to piano pop". The ten tracks on Now You Are Gone flow like stories and are loosely based on his work. The opening track 'The Tiger Ballad' is handled from a singular perspective and conveys the desperation of someone looking for a declaration of love. Matt sings the song with such heart and power as soft instrumentation emphasizes the mood. 'Binary' is described as a computer generated song with a menacing groove yet it is contrasted with a punchy piano and catchy vocals. The CD continues to build on the momentum with more expressive vocals and varied instrumental mixes. Songs range from the effect heavy 'Her Love' to 'Charlotte Rose', a pure piano piece. Dr. Roberts prescribes just the right combination of creative pop with serious storytelling and Now You Are Gone is just what the doctor ordered!

- kweevak.com (USA), May 2006

MATT ROBERTS

Now You Are Gone

(Sound Vault)

Listen up, Ben Lee fans, there is a new independent pop star emerging from the land down under: Dr. Matt Roberts. Although this gifted physician practices medicine in Australia, his music is therapy for the world of the brokenhearted. Roberts' latest record Now You Are Gone skillfully cures listeners with its well-crafted lyrics and pleasant piano chords. With songs like "Second Heart" and "Binary," this album is poetic chicken soup for the hopeless romantic.

- highbias.com (USA), April 2006

MATT ROBERTS

Now You Are Gone

(Sound Vault)

This feels like McCartney during his “Say Say Say” years. A little too sugary sweet and mellow for my tastes but that’s just me. Anyway, Roberts falls somewhere between McCartney and Billy Joel’s piano man act. “Binary” is a nice track that will pull you in pretty quick. “Second Heart” has a real international feel as well as “The Jeweller”. “Her Love” has a Paul Simon, Graceland era flavored rhythm that will snag you too.

- earcandymag.com (USA), April 2006

Matt Roberts

Now You are Gone

I'm not sure what to make of Matt Roberts. He's both a practicing doctor and a musician from Australia with crisp, ranging vocals and sounds that lure you in. One minute I think I hear some Ben Folds in him and the next I'm feeling a little Jamie Cullum. This piano master has crafted catchy pop tracks that have melodies that hook you in. Then there's a little pinch of a cabaret sound ("Paris, January"). So I'm not sure what genre to place him in, but I can tell you that this album is certainly worth a listen. "Now You are Gone" has simple lyrics yet Roberts' knack for catchy sounds. This was a fun listen!

Favorite Tracks: Paris January, The Tiger Ballad

Rating: 4 stars

- discoveringartists.com (USA) March 2006

MATT ROBERTS

Now You Are Gone (Sound Vault)

Matt Roberts’ 2002 album The Ruby Record contained tempting flourishes that leaned towards both the glory of The Go-Betweens and Paul Kelly’s lyrical confidence. A few years on, the Melbourne psychiatry registrar has followed up on the promise initially shown by returning to his musical sideline with an album that develops on his initial blueprint.

The wry musings are still in place, but their dominance has been supplanted by a more compelling mix of compassion and musical prowess. Edging away from guitar-based observational wit towards emotive songs predominantly based around piano arrangements, there’s still the ghost of Paul Kelly on the worn vocals of Bubbles Of Nothing and in the power of Second Heart (which sounds like Dumb Things reinvented for keyboards), but on this outing Roberts has upped the production standards and added textures such as violin, wah guitar and double-tracked vocals in refined doses.

The clever Melbourne troubadour hasn’t completely dispensed with his dry lyrics, with opener The Tiger Ballad asking ‘did you just say you love me or was that the telly?’ and Her Love noting ‘her love is like money from the government, hard-fought and never enough’.

The rudimentary CD artwork belies the strong quality of the music within, but Now You Are Gone builds neatly on Roberts’ admirable back catalogue.

Scott McLennan - Rip It Up Magazine, March 2006

Matt Roberts - Now You Are Gone

Matt Roberts is a doctor in his day job. But he’d love to be as renowned as a singer/songwriter. His catchy pop songs have been pleasing crowds in Australia and look to do so here in America as well. Piano and guitar centric pop-rock that boasts great melodic vocals that sing of social conscience and emotional tales, “Now You Are Gone” is a great listen.

- J-Sin - Smother Magazine, March 2006

'A breath of fresh air' - John Ruberto, Crystal Mastering

'Mature, balanced and enthralling' - Halcyon Classics, Paris

'Given the recent success of fellow SNAGs James Blunt and Damien Rice, Matt Roberts should have no trouble finding a following with this effort. The first track has a lovely lilting melody...' - Mediasearch.com.au

'"Her love is like money from the government: hard fought for, and never enough."  This line was enough to get me listening...it works wonderfully, like the song’s winking at you in that mischievous Davey Jones way..."I did not know how she moved until she froze," states Roberts in the piano-driven waltz of Charlotte Rose...this is a great line' - Beat Magazine, March 2006

Matt Roberts - Now You Are Gone

Matt Roberts is a doctor in his day job. But he’d love to be as renowned as a singer/songwriter. His catchy pop songs have been pleasing crowds in Australia and look to do so here in America as well. Piano and guitar centric pop-rock that boasts great melodic vocals that sing of social conscience and emotional tales, “Now You Are Gone” is a great listen.

- J-Sin - Smother Magazine, March 2006

'A breath of fresh air' - John Ruberto, Crystal Mastering

'Mature, balanced and enthralling' - Halcyon Classics, Paris

'Given the recent success of fellow SNAGs James Blunt and Damien Rice, Matt Roberts should have no trouble finding a following with this effort. The first track has a lovely lilting melody...' - Mediasearch.com.au

'"Her love is like money from the government: hard fought for, and never enough."  This line was enough to get me listening...it works wonderfully, like the song’s winking at you in that mischievous Davey Jones way..."I did not know how she moved until she froze," states Roberts in the piano-driven waltz of Charlotte Rose...this is a great line' - Beat Magazine, March 2006