You haven’t experienced true mystical music magic until you see Matt Lorenz, aka The Suitcase Junket, perform live. There really are no words to accurately describe what you witness unfold in front of your eyes as Lorenz creates a tapestry of sound that 10 men could not successfully conjur up. I was under the impression that The Suitcase Junket was an act that you MUST, absolutely catch live to truly appreciate. That was until “Make Time” arrived in my mailbox and proved that under the right circumstances, in the right environment, and with the correct amount of emotion and feeling, that live experience can be put to tape and deliver what Matt is able to bewilder audiences with in a live setting.
(photo by Andrew Rinkhy)
“So No” is a track that has a life all its own. I am taken back to Newport Folk where The Lumineers cast off into the audience to perform foot stomping renditions of their energetic tunes…the difference is that Matt Lorenz is one man, where the Lumineers are like 5 people and the guy injects just as much energy, life and vibrancy into his songs as any multi-person act. He is a true force of nature, a feverous ball of positive energy and light. The slightly over-driven guitar, the heartbeat like thumb of the bass (suitcase) drum, and Lorenz’s fantastic vocal, harmonious, gorgeous, with just the right amount of grit and honesty that grabs you and never lets go.
Lorenz is, at times, haunting and takes on an empty feel, as the track “New Old Friend” displays with its delay and echo cavernous effects and at other times is rollicking and straight rock as “Earth Apple” shows with its howling vocal, hard hit drum parts, and driving guitar parts all coming together to get your head banging. This is why Suitcase Junket is such a talent, his ability to master not just one, but a collection of sounds and emotions is uncanny.
“Wherever I Wake Up”…I will only say one thing about this song and that is, I wish I wrote it. From one songwriter to another, I think that is the best compliment you can give an artist. So there’s that.
A string of tunes on the album starting with “Everybody Else” through “Broken” takes it a bit easier on the heavy percussion and it really falls into a harbored place, a softer groove, a vibe that feels really good to me. This is the section of this album I continuously keep revisiting.
“Make Time” is a lot of things. Catchy, uptempo, downtrodden, somber, beautifully soft, loud and rocking. There is a truckload of emotions packed into 12 songs. A variety of sounds and feelings and emotions, Lorenz takes listeners for a ride here. His songwriting is accessible but poignant, deep and meaningful. He sings with such purpose on each and every song. And he is an undeniable talent that performs circus act-like feats in order to get a sound that is so original and impressive you will be brought back to listen again and again.
Lorenz’s latest release is a brilliant collection of varied songs that capture a gifted and clever artist at his finest. Add this one to your favorites for 2015 list now folks.