The Lateness of the Hour is the second album by the American musician Eric Matthews, released in 1997.[2][3] "My Morning Parade" was originally included as a 7" single with the vinyl version of the album.[4] The album was part of the ork pop trend of the 1990s.[5]
| The Lateness of the Hour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1997 | |||
| Label | Sub Pop[1] | |||
| Producer | Eric Matthews, Tony Lash | |||
| Eric Matthews chronology | ||||
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Production edit
The Lateness of the Hour was produced by Tony Lash and Matthews, who also played flugelhorn and harpsichord, among other instruments.[6][7] Jason Falkner played guitar on the album; Matthews's younger brother Wes also contributed.[8][9] Three songs, "Gilded Cages", "To Clear the Air", and "Festival Fun", do not include drums, bass, or guitar.[10] Matthews recorded the vocals and acoustic guitars with Manley microphones.[11]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[7] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [6] |
Salon wrote that "it's ironic that the album's best moments are those when he tears down his Brill Building façade and turns the guitars up a bit, as on 'Everything So Real' and especially 'The Pleasant Kind', the one song where Matthews' melodic sensibility doesn't sound grave-robbed."[13] Entertainment Weekly noted that "this smooth, lovely set of melancholia is never overwhelmed by its ambitions."[7]
The Boston Globe stated that "Matthews' exceptional music is lovely and strange; if only his opaque lyrics were equally evocative."[14] Rolling Stone determined that "the piano, bass and spare percussion on 'No Gnashing Teeth' serve an arrangement that would make Brian Wilson proud."[15] The Dayton Daily News opined that Matthews "sings in a hushed whisper reminiscent of the late folkie Nick Drake."[16]
The St. Catharines Standard listed it among the best 20 albums of 1997.[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer also considered it to be one of 1997's best, deeming it a "florid masterwork."[18]
AllMusic wrote that "the best songs have an effortless grace, while even the weaker moments are enjoyable because of the lavish arrangements."[12]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ideas That Died That Day" | |
| 2. | "My Morning Parade" | |
| 3. | "Pair of Cherry" | |
| 4. | "To Clear the Air" | |
| 5. | "Yes, Everyone" | |
| 6. | "Everything So Real" | |
| 7. | "Becomes Dark Blue" | |
| 8. | "The Pleasant Kind" | |
| 9. | "Gilded Cages" | |
| 10. | "Dopeyness" | |
| 11. | "Since the Wheel Free" | |
| 12. | "Festival Fun" | |
| 13. | "No Gnashing Teeth" |
References edit
- ^ "Cardinal". Trouser Press. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Eric Matthews Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ O'Connell, Sharon (Apr 4, 1998). "The Lateness of the Hour". Melody Maker. Vol. 75, no. 14. p. 45.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 573.
- ^ Punter, Jennie (23 Aug 1997). "Eric Matthews The Lateness of the Hour". Toronto Star. p. J8.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 723.
- ^ a b c "The Lateness of the Hour". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Wright, Rickey (October 17, 1997). "The Lateness of the Hour". Washington City Paper.
- ^ Morris, Chris (Aug 23, 1997). "Sub Pop feels the time is right for Eric Matthews". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 34. pp. 10, 104.
- ^ Reighley, Kurt B. (Oct 1997). "Seriously Eric Matthews". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 50. p. 26.
- ^ Epstein, Dan (Oct 1997). "The magic & craft of classic guitar pop". Guitar Player. Vol. 31, no. 10. pp. 100–108.
- ^ a b "The Lateness of the Hour". AllMusic.
- ^ Athitakis, Mark (September 4, 1997). "The Lateness of the Hour". Salon.
- ^ Wolff, Carlo (1 Jan 1998). "Eric Matthews The Lateness of the Hour". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 25.
- ^ Greenberger, David (Sep 4, 1997). "The Lateness of the Hour". Rolling Stone. No. 768. p. 70.
- ^ Underwood, Bob (10 Oct 1997). "Recordings on Review". Go!. Dayton Daily News. p. 20.
- ^ Crossingham, John (2 Jan 1998). "Best Spins of '97". St. Catharines Standard. p. D1.
- ^ Moon, Tom (21 Dec 1997). "Music's Hits – and Misses". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F1.