Matson Jones Issue #28

A Four Song EP (Sympathy)

By Bill Copeland
Published: June 1st, 2006 | 9:12am

With this aptly titled EP recorded a year ago, Matson Jones carves out its own niche in modern alternative rocknroll. This four-piece combo from Denver, Colorado features drummer Ross Harada, upright bass player Matt Regan, and two female singers-cellists, Martina Grbac and Anna Mascorella.

Opener “Exes and Ohs” moves like a locomotive train with a driving beat supplied by Harada. Grbac and Mascorella turn up the heat by bowing a lot of friction and dissonance on each track. On the slower “Sabotage,” Grbac croons while the cello plays a moody melody over a thumping but barely moving drumbeat. Harada turns up the pace with his rollicking fills on “Dirt Sea,” making it the most striking song on this disc of striking music.

Without the trappings of electric guitars, Matson Jones still plays hard pop music utilizing unusual instrumentation.