Music Recommendation: Wind Up Bird by Matthew Thiessen & The Earthquakes

While we were in Nashville for the Sing! Conference, I took the opportunity to spend some time with the album Wind Up Bird from Mattew Thiessen & The Earthquakes. This is the solo/side project of Relient K’s frontman Matthew Thiessen, and it is sonically and stylistically different from what you would expect from the pop-punk rocker. But I am here for it, and it is the perfect way to start the fall season.

With acoustic guitars, a tight drumkit, and a trumpet part scattered in the mix, Wind Up Bird casts a cool, relaxing atmosphere. This compliments Thiessen’s vocals, which have gotten better with every record he releases. They are hushed throughout most of the album, but they are counterbalanced by a backing female vocalist. The songwriting is stellar, with characteristically contemplative lyrics.

Listen to the tracks Man of Stone, Forest, and Oedipus (my favorite) and you’ll get a feel for the album as a whole. Clean Sweep and I’m Gonna Cry are equally impressive. But if you have some time to unwind, listen to the album in its entirety and embrace the fall season with open arms, and open ears.