Matt Hillyer – Bright Skyline
True country & western fans will certainly appreciate the authenticity Matt ‘the Cat’ Hillyer manages to project in his showcase. Right from the opening bell, he comes out with left hooks on “What Are You Doing Now.” This is a well-crafted & performed song that’s easily likable. Hillyer makes an instant impression. He has the retro style down solidly & it doesn’t sound old because he’s engaging & possesses good country sensibilities.
There are 11 clear weather tunes on Bright Skyline (Drops June 21/State Fair Records/39:00) produced by John Pedigo (Old 97s). It travels between an old style to a rollicking Townes van Zandt-Guy Clark-motivated “Moving Away,” slathered in countrified fiddle & a higher vocal register. Though Matt (vocals/guitars) wears the right fashion accessories & dear god a hat – I don’t necessarily hear a hat act & does wear cool shades. He’s refined, with a lasting sense of country personality & suavity. Matt’s a veteran singer-songwriter who knows how to keep it interesting.
There’s nothing hokum here. It’s a serious fluent set of songs. Matt even displays a similar writing style with the ingenuity of Michael Smotherman (“Do I Ever Come Across Your Mind”). Matt tackles typical themes & subjects but steers clear of being cute. “Did She Ever Want To Live Like This,” is a beauty.
You can tell Matt is a child of old-school country, peppered with outlaw country, western swing, rockabilly & Honky Tonk but all in equal amounts. Never heavy-handed. There are plenty of foot-tapping & hip swaying opportunities in this collection. He doesn’t project with a deep baritone ala Johnny Burnette but does have a Carl Perkins bop to his tone.
What works excellently is Matt’s ability to know what words to emphasize. He doesn’t sing words in tune; he picks keywords that require incisive fizz. Many in this collection are upbeat & delightful. Even his balladry is performed with every wrinkle ironed out. “Even An Angel” has this quality & it’s a magical spell that the late John Prine used often.
Is Matt distinctive? Well, not as much as Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, George Strait, or even Boxcar Willie. But he possesses a genuine delivery that makes his performance have a signature style attractive to country-reared ears. He doesn’t sound like a dive bar artist or saloon performer. He’s highly polished & sounds entertaining. Sometimes that’s all the endorsement an artist needs.
Highlights – “What Are You Doing Now,” “Moving Away,” “Did She Ever Want To Live Like This,” “Even An Angel,” “Bright Skyline,” “Honey Do Blues” & “If I Had Everything I Want.”
Musicians – Arjuna Contreras (drums/percussion), James Driscoll (bass), Kevin Smith (upright bass), Heather Stalling (fiddle), Lloyd Maines (pedal steel guitar) & Annagrey Wechman (harmony vocals).
Color image courtesy of Brooks Burris. CD @ https://matthillyer.com/home
