Matt & Kim

Grand (Fader Label)

By Nicole Sheikh
Published: December 30th, 2008 | 9:00am

Armed with only a synth, a drum set, and shining sincerity, dance-punk duo (and unbearably adorable couple) Matt Johnson & Kim Schifino release their second full-length album, Grand. A fitting title for the record, Grand is certainly a more thought-out and professionally styled body of work in comparison to their self-titled debut in 2006. Whereas the original release took only nine days to record, the Brooklyn-based group settled into the basement of Johnson’s childhood home in rural Vermont to self-record Grand — taking almost nine months from start to finish.

Though it’s a turn from their trademark lo-fi sound, the album employs well-mixed, slick production (Johnson produced the entire album himself) and easily exhibits their most compelling work to date — it’s clear that the duo has discovered their collective voice. With 11 tracks falling just under 30 minutes, Grand is packed with instant dance floor hits and lots of anthemic pop-punk tunes.

A definite highlight is the album’s opener, “Daylight,” reflecting the carefree, whimsical, fleeting moments of youthful angst that defines the life of a twentysomething: “And in the daylight we can hitchhike to Maine / I hope that someday I’ll see without these frames / And in the daylight I don’t pick up my phone / ‘Cause in the daylight anywhere feels like home,” Johnson sings jovially. The excitement that fills each song is palpable. The super-energized dance beats are nicely balanced with a few slower, more contemplative songs like “Lessons Learned” and “Turn This Boat Around.”

It’s refreshing to see a young band with so much promise experiment a bit and deviate from their usual formulaic song structures, producing more thoughtful and metaphoric compositions. Also noteworthy are, of course, Matt & Kim’s live performances (the lifeblood of this duo), so look out for their 2009 US tour stops.

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