True Believer, by Matthew Barber

True Believer

by Matthew Barber

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$10 CAD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

Includes unlimited streaming of True Believer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 2 days

Purchasable with gift card

$15 CAD or more
LP
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of True Believer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out

1.	I Think You're Gonna Feel My Love 03:50	info	buy track
2.	Comeback Baby 04:24		buy track
3.	Revolution of the Sun 04:49	info	buy track
4.	Got That Lonesome Feeling On My Mind 02:16	info	buy track
5.	The Little Things 02:30		buy track
6.	True Believer 04:18	info	buy track
7.	Insanity or Death 04:47	info	buy track
8.	While Away 04:17	info	buy track
9.	Hawks on the Highway 03:33	info	buy track
10.	Suddenly 02:58		buy track
11.	Wasn't Born To Leave You [Bonus Track] 03:17		buy track

about

True Believer is the new release from Toronto-based singer-songwriter Matthew Barber. For this, his fourth full-length album and follow-up to the internationally acclaimed and Juno-nominated record Ghost Notes (2008, Outside Music), Barber enlisted producer and local hero Howie Beck (Hayden, Jason Collett) to man the helm. The result has been an artistic alchemy that takes Barber’s trademark melodies to new heights.

Stylistically, True Believer is markedly more crisp and confident. It’s also diverse, heavily steeped in the rock’n’roll singer-songwriter tradition of Young, Petty, Dylan and Springsteen; yet it features dashes of Hank Williams, the soul of Al Green, the spirit of Paul Simon and the timeless essence of The Band.

The opening track “I Think You’re Gonna Feel My Love” is a Wilbury-esque pop romp with hooks-a-plenty that sets the tone for what is to come; “Revolution of The Sun” is a meditation on the passage of time inspired by the rite of thanksgiving, musically reminiscent of a 70’s Lennon ballad; “While Away” is an ode to a lazy summer day and features a gorgeous vocal contribution from Matthew’s sister, the accomplished chanteuse Jill Barber; “Hawks On The Highway” proves that Barber hasn’t completely given up on fist-pumping rockers, this one lamenting but accepting the inevitable death of the road-trip in an age of shifting environmental consciousness. “Got That Lonesome Feeling On My Mind” (from the original play Haunted Hillbilly for which Barber composed the music) pays homage to the song-stylings of a bygone era; “Comeback Baby” tells the story of a man driven mad by the siren song of a flirtatious bird to whom he has a mysterious attraction; “Insanity or Death” alternates between introspection and an outward despair for a world that seems increasingly insane; “The Little Things” is a tender reflection on what really matters in life; and “Suddenly” is an ode to the dignity of a long life lived and the bittersweet memories of those who soldier on in the wake of loss.

The album was recorded largely in Howie Beck’s studio in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, after laying down the bed tracks at Canterbury Sound with veteran engineer Jeremy Darby. Beck and Barber played almost everything with Beck handling the drums, some percussion and most of the bass, while Barber handled the vocals, guitar, piano and percussion. For the fancier parts, some of Toronto’s finest musicians were called in including Dean Drouillard on lead guitar, Jesse O’Brien on piano, Daniel Stone on percussion, Paul Mathew on upright bass and a crack horn section led by Bryden Baird.

True Believer marks Barber’s second release on Toronto-based Outside Music label.

credits

released February 23, 2010

Produced and Mixed by Howie Beck
Recorded by Howie Beck at 4-Walls and Jeremy Darby at Canterbury
Mastered by Noah Mintz at The Lacquer Channel
All songs by M. Barber

All songs performed by Matthew Barber (vocals, guitar, piano, keys, bass, percussion) and Howie Beck (drums, bass, percussion)

license

about

Matthew Barber Toronto, Ontario

Matthew Barber is equally at-home as a solo performer or with a band, inspired by great songwriters of the 20th-century North American folk/blues/rock’n’roll and country tradition.

On his 8th studio album, Big Romance, Barber jumped at the opportunity to have Jayhawks
frontman, and leader of the Americana movement, Gary Louris come on board. ... more

contact / help

Contact Matthew Barber

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Matthew Barber, you may also like:

Artefact
by Clever Hopes

supported by 4 fans who also own “True Believer”
go to album
What It Is
by Ian Lake

supported by 4 fans who also own “True Believer”

From the opening line of the title track - How can this road seem so long, when this town’s so small? - to the last Never leave me of “Uninspired” this album is about being human. Soul searching about disappointment, regret, desire, hope & growth. The album peels away the layers that surround our hearts & validates our existence. The music & lyrics are hauntingly beautiful, ebbing & flowing and carrying you from one song to the next. In permanent rotation &1 of my top 5 road trip choices. soopeyc
go to album
Steady Away
by Chris Brain

The latest from the UK’s Chris Brain is a gorgeously wrought album of tender acoustic folk music. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 17, 2023
go to album
Cinema
by Skylar Gudasz

Durham, NC singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz makes intimate Americana delivered with dry wit and stunningly precise vocal acumen. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 14, 2020
go to album
Tonkori in the moonlight
by OKI

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 25, 2022
go to album
Sam Amidon
by Sam Amidon

featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 6, 2020
go to album
Spider Tales
by Jake Blount

This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
go to album