Matt Jenkins - Quarter of a Century EP

Sometimes the best surprises come from the most organic of places.  And that's exactly what you get with this EP.  Recorded as basic acoustic tracks, this is a raw, real collection of tunes from one of Nashville's up and comers.

After releasing a pair of good singles with Universal South, Matt Jenkins saw the deal go awry but rather than wallow in pity, he kept plugging at it and continues to work towards another record deal.  Recorded with stellar guitarist and singer/songwriter Mark Selby (“There’s Your Trouble”), “Quarter Of A Century” is an eight song EP that showcases Jenkins’ songwriting skills while simultaneously giving fans a recording to buy and serving as a de facto demo for labels or other artists that want to record his songs.

There’s something about raw, acoustic music that has always appealed to me and that feeling is only enhanced by this EP.  “Want You Back,” a song I’ve seen Matt sing with a full band here in Nashville, and it’s cool to hear the song in this acoustic setting.  The basic premise of the song finds Jenkins coming home to find an old flame who let herself into his apartment.  Rather than take her back, he says “I want you back in that Cadillac Eldorado…eyes on the road, hands on the wheel…That’s the way I want you back.”   Sounding like a melodic cousin to “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” “Going Nowhere” finds Matt singing about the way a new relationship starts and how it might not work but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try for it anyway.  After all, it might just work.  

The ballad “Before You’re Gone” finds Jenkins pleading with a girl to do the opposite of what he wants her to do in “Want You Back.” Here he wants her to contemplate what she’s doing as she slowly drives away from him.  Written with Mark Selby, “Some Kind of Sexy” finds beauty in the everyday, mundane things of life and relationships.  The basic idea behind this groove-filled track is that when you’re in love with someone, you can find them sexy in everything, even when they may not find themselves sexy in that very same moment.  

With a simple, traditional gorgeous melodic hook, “Back By Tonight” really has the sound of a smash hit song.  Another song which I’ve seen Matt perform live, this one finds him singing about going out with the girl of his dreams.  It’s a classic guy wants to get the girl song but the beauty is in the simplicity of the lyric and melody.  

While I’ve not personally lived the lyrics of “I’ll Remember For You,” I certainly can relate to the heartfelt lyric Matt has written about his Grandpa.  It finds his Grandfather wanting him to relay the most cherished memories.  Both vocally and lyrically Matt has the heartfelt charm of award-winning singer/songwriter Skip Ewing.  The EP ends with a song that finds Jenkins singing about his first 25 years on earth. “Quarter of a Century” finds him relaying his life and how, even at his relative young age, he’s thankful for what he’s experienced but hopin ‘for at least that many more.”  It’s a fitting end to a well-written and performed, live EP.  

With these kinds of songs, Matt Jenkins should have no trouble finding another record label home or, at the very least, the ability to place a few of these songs on other artists’ albums as a songwriter.

To buy and listen to some tracks from this EP, head on over to Matt Jenkins' MySpace page.

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