Matt Ebert’s album, “Snakes and Tornados”

Matt Ebert’s album, “Snakes and Tornados” has heavy soul and R & B influences, tossed together with minor elements of jazz, punk, metal rock, and marching band. Ebert wanders so many different paths with the music that it is hard to determine his direction.

Several songs never mesh well instrumentally, as in “House Carpenter,” where the drums and guitar seemingly play their own solos, completely unaware of one another until the last minute. When songs like “Buns of Steel, Heart of Stone” and “Kill Meh” do come together, the affect is hindered by Ebert’s vocals.

Ebert might fancy himself as the next Little Richard or Louis Armstrong, but he comes off as sounding more like Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch. If the talented female vocals in “Do It” were likened to a Sunday afternoon picnic, Ebert’s interjections would be the nagging fly ruining the pleasant moment. Yet just like that unavoidable outdoor pest, Ebert is persistent and passionate in his undertaking. Such emotion actually works in “Game of Love” where he sings, “You can make me do right or you can make me do wrong.”

The final song, “No More Drama” shows some lyrical depth, and would be worth pondering if sung by someone else. The backup vocals add to the song, rather than cause more annoyance, as in “Make A Name for Yourself.” The repeating keyboard notes in “No More Drama” are reminiscent of a soap opera intro, which is perhaps fitting, given the song title. Ebert’s adamant avowal, “No more games, no more drama in my life” is sung in an entirely overdramatic fashion, to the point where it seems Ebert might make himself sick.

“Snakes and Tornados” attempts various combinations of sounds and instruments. These attempts are as successful as the blows of a blindfolded child swinging at a birthday piñata. A few songs are on the right track, but overall, the music needs more focus and collaboration.

Myriah Christine, Contributor

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