Matthew Morrison - Matthew Morrison (Album Review)
Monday, 20 June 2011
Written by Tom Bevan
Known worldwide as Glee Club director Will Schuester on FOX’s astronomically popular ‘Glee’ and star of Broadway shows such as Hairspray and South Pacific, Matthew Morrison makes his move into the world of pop with his eponymous debut album, released on Mercury Records. With big-name producers, even bigger-name duets and a ukele, I quite liked the idea of this musical actor turned popstar but upon listening I found a slightly disappointing collection of songs in which Morrison impersonates a mainstream performer and fails to create anything worth a second listen.
Now I don’t like to criticise too heavily - I mean it’s the sort of thing real journalists do - and especially as I am told that Morrison is a ‘nice guy’, but I think the fact that the 32 year-old the recently appeared on shopping channel QVC to promote the album, in his first UK TV singing appearance, sums up the whole shebang.
The album kicks off with ‘Summer Rain’, his first single, and it is a real sign of things to come, with the aptly damp opening lines “On the rooftop/thinkin’ it’s about to pour/People run for shelter/tryin’ to get out of that storm”; co-written by Morrison and Claude Kelly (Bruno Mars, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera), the tune is completely forgettable and even the sunshine ukele riff can’t brighten up affairs. (Although it is based on a “true story”, which is always reassuring.)
The rest of the album follows in suit, with often painfully over-produced tracks that just don’t rise above average. Particularly dull are ‘Don’t Stop Dancing’, a bland dance beat with Morrison’s very musicale vocals thrown over the top, and ‘Hey’ which wouldn’t be out of place on Eurovision, with more pop clichés than, well, you can shake a stick at.
I held some hope for the duets which appear, but even Sting and Elton John bring very little joy to proceedings; 'Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot' is as mundane as ever whilst Morrison is completely outshone by John in the medley of 'Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters'/'Rocket Man' and brings nothing new to either. Gwyneth Paltrow also pops by for 'Somewhere over the Rainbow', as previously performed by the two on Glee, and this is a real nod to the show which I’m sure will prove popular with fans. He also makes a touching thank you to teachers everywhere in his album notes, signifying how vital his Glee fame has been, and I suppose some will always see him as Mr Schuester; something Morrison is trying, but failing, to shake off.
From what I’ve seen of the sugar sweet US show, Morrison has a good voice which seems perfect for the theatre - he can hit the notes, hold the tunes and gives as good as he gets on the acting front. But a solo album? Alas, I listen to this album and just think one thing. Why? He uses his position as a global star to bosh together a record with impressive guest names and a large tour off the back of it (he was in the UK last week and tours the US with the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on The Block in July). The music may not hit the mark but you can’t blame him for having a bash at it; his thoughts, clearly, why not?
“I’m excited about the new challenges ahead” he says of this ‘new direction.’ Phwoar, role on Price Drop TV…
‘Matthew Morrison’ is available now on Mercury Records.
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Now I don’t like to criticise too heavily - I mean it’s the sort of thing real journalists do - and especially as I am told that Morrison is a ‘nice guy’, but I think the fact that the 32 year-old the recently appeared on shopping channel QVC to promote the album, in his first UK TV singing appearance, sums up the whole shebang.
