It wasn’t a failure of imagination that caused Matthew Stevens to title his latest album Matthew Stevens. Rather, he was making a statement of identity. Consisting of mainly original material, the album confidently expresses the guitarist and composer’s personal aesthetic, as he explores the sounds and colors of a palette he’s refined over the course of his career. The deeply atmospheric “Hazy” conjures a stark, cinematic landscape, one with roots planted in dusty Americana. Stevens’ textured leads meander, unrushed by the relaxed but inexorable rhythms of bassist Kyle Miles and drummer-percussionist Eric Doob. Slide guitarist Dylan Day and pedal steel guitarist Rich Hinman add layers of sonic and emotional resonance, as do alto saxophonist Josh Johnson and keyboardist Chris Fishman. These close associates bring out the best in Stevens, whose unflashy solo toward the song’s conclusion brims with feeling. Tracks on the new album reflect where Stevens has been — certainly, there’s residue of the allstar tribute project he recently produced, Doc Watson at 100, featuring Dolly Parton, Valerie June and Roseanne Cash — and hint at vistas he may explore next.
