Rebel Revive - XI (Eleven) Album Review

It's often really strange when your musician friends (or acquaintances) ask you to review their album or ask if you want to interview them, because when you have a lot of friends who are pursuing careers in music, they all have their different styles. And I do mean that, it's not code for anything. They all have different sounds and levels of experience and talent. My favorite thing is when a musician or band (friend or not) gives you the chance to listen to their music with no pressure, and if you're into it, to write something about it. That way it comes from the heart! Anyway, that's what happened this time and I'm really happy to be able to write something genuine about this album.

***

XI is an album in which you can hear the passion Matthew Lindblad (yep, another one man band!) has for his music. Something I value, and I think many others do too, is meaningful lyrics and sounds that grab your soul and drag you in. It's very rare that I like every track on an album and have little to no complaints, but that's the magic that was just produced in this 6-track masterpiece. 

Ambient rock with just enough tasteful aggressive vocals (don't get this confused with "screamo") placed discreetly just where it belongs, it seems that these tracks could be just about anyone's jam. Matt's sweet side is easily visible within the lyrics of these songs, making it obvious how much he cares about the music and what he's written, as does the letter included in the album, which made even me feel emotional! 

Although each track has its own sound, the album flows so easily that when it ends, it's almost as though all of the songs are each a part of one long, beautiful song. From the first time I listened to it, I couldn't stop. I soon had the whole album on repeat, and each time it ended, I felt like it was too soon! I definitely couldn't pick an absolute favorite out of the six songs, but I'll tell you that none of them were my least favorite either! 

It's hard to compare such beautiful, standalone music to other bands' sound, but I might relate it in slight to Cartel and New Found Glory. Matt definitely brings back some worth to the words "one-man band," which seemed to have lost their reputation as a valid form of talent. Produced by Colby Wedgeworth (who has produced albums for Lydia, The Maine, This Century, and others) it's obvious that they make a good team in the studio (and out).

If you don't know much about Matthew, he's been around the music industry for quite a while, in various different projects, including having been one of the guitarists for New Years Day (who I actually just interviewed at the end of March!) and has started this new project more recently. I'm glad he decided to go on his own path, so that he had the full creative decision making to create this gem of a record.

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Here's the promo video below, in case my review didn't get you excited enough about the album.



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