"Sidewalks," Matt and Kim's newest release, is the ultimate feel-good music. Evidence of the band's skill and talent is clear with their incorporation of an eclectic array of instruments and unique beats that are heard in each of the album's songs. "Sidewalks" remains lighthearted and fun without becoming fluffy. It emanates a cheerful vibe without losing its substance or maturity.
Matt and Kim is a pop-dance-punk duo composed of keyboardist Matt Johnson and drummer Kim Schifino. The band was formed in 2004 after the two met at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., and they released their first self-titled album in the fall of 2006. After performing at major festivals such as Lollapalooza the following year, Matt and Kim became more prominent on the indie-pop music radar. Their second album, "Grand" (2009), hit 165 on the Billboard 200.
"Sidewalks" is notable mainly because of its thrilling musicality: Fun, dominating beats make up the backing of each song, and it's impossible not to toe-tap in time with the music. "Red Paint" leads in with an electronic rhythm, similar to vintage video game sound effects. These beeping scales continue for the duration of the song, fusing subtly with the melody. "Block After Block," the first track, utilizes cymbals and more electronic noises to create a measured tempo but also adds hand claps to accentuate the rhythm.
By emphasizing rhythm in all of their tracks, Matt and Kim manage to keep listeners hooked and maintain a sense of cohesiveness throughout the album.
Another unique aspect of "Sidewalks" is the wide range of instrumentation present on the album. Every sound comes together so seamlessly that it may be hard to pick up during the first listen, but after a while it becomes easier to dissect the individual sounds. For example, in "Where You're Coming From," a series of piano chords play in unison with a light plucking of violin.
"Red Paint" is a cornucopia of noise, with guitar, a woodwind — perhaps a flute or clarinet — and triangle. "Northeast," the one melancholy track on the eleven-track album, alternates low, drawn-out piano chords with jingling bells, while "Ice Melts" emits a joyful aura with trumpet notes and what appears to be the banging of empty cans or a cowbell. This variety of instruments cements the musical credibility of Matt and Kim while captivating listeners.
Not only does the music exude a joyful attitude, but the lyrics also play a key role in the feel-good nature of "Sidewalks." Without being too corny, the vocals express optimistic sentiments. Johnson sings all the tracks on "Sidewalks," and his vocals are solid without being too overdone or drawn out. On "Good for Great" he chants, "Bruises and scrapes, our life's mistakes are nothing but bad weather." Simple lyrics such as these express bliss and delight without slipping into the trap of being cliche and cheesy.
Sometimes you want to crank the volume up, roll the windows down and listen to some shallow, saccharin-sweet songs because they're just fun. With "Sidewalks" you can get the same effect without sacrificing your indie cred; Matt and Kim's musical backbone remains strong while still creating that zippy, light-hearted, feel-good mood that causes so many to gravitate toward music.
