It's Heavy in Here

• Artist: Eric Matthews
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 26, 1995
• Total Time: 40:43
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

One of the finest debut albums of the 1990s, It's Heavy in Here brings forth to the public a new artist fully grown, refined, and with an undeniable attitude of exploration. Indeed, a heady combination, but Eric Matthews delivers in grand style with 14 gems that sparkle like rare tiaras. Mixing elements of classical, pop, jazz, and a bit of folk, the songs are well-crafted mosaics, and grab the listener with a slightly narcotic tug of the sleeve. Influences ranging from Colin Blunstone (the vocals) to Bernard Herrmann (string arrangements) give the entire affair a stately grace. "Three Cornered Moon" is a great example of this, with its waltz-time feel and arrangement that crosses chamber music with an almost Chet Baker, West Coast cool jazz flavor. Other tracks, such as the brilliant "Fanfare" (which one writer described as "the 'Penny Lane' of the 1990s"), are more direct and immediate in their mellifluousness, yet retain an air of mystery, with Matthews using words as musical instruments, juggling insights with a wonderful sense of style that is slightly reminiscent of Van Dyke Parks. In the end though, despite all of the influences mentioned, Eric Matthews is his own man and artist, and this album is a seamless cornerstone to a catalog that is (one can only hope) unfolding. ~ Matthew Greenwald, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Fanfare	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:56)
Forging Plastic Pain	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:15)
Soul Nation Select Them	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:22)
Faith to Clay	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:21)
Angels for Crime	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:03)
Fried Out Broken Girl	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:29)
Lust Takes Time	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:41)
Hop and Tickle	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:59)
Three-Cornered Moon	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:07)
Distant Mother Reality	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:20)
Flight and Lion	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(3:39)
Poisons Will Pass Me	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:39)
Sincere Sensation	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:55)
Fanfare (Reprise)	Eric Matthews	Eric Matthews	(2:19)

Credits

Kim Burton (Viola), Drew Canulette (Engineer), Jason Falkner (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jason Falkner (Bass), Jason Falkner (Piano), Jason Falkner (Drums), Jason Falkner (Guitar (Electric)), Jason Falkner (Engineer), Tony Lash (Drums), Tony Lash (Tambourine), Tony Lash (Engineer), Tony Lash (Mixing), Charles Peterson (Photography), Eric Matthews (Organ), Eric Matthews (Guitar (Acoustic)), Eric Matthews (Bass), Eric Matthews (Percussion), Eric Matthews (Piano), Eric Matthews (Trumpet), Eric Matthews (Composer), Eric Matthews (Conductor), Eric Matthews (Guitar (Electric)), Eric Matthews (Harpsichord), Eric Matthews (Organ (Hammond)), Eric Matthews (Piano (Electric)), Eric Matthews (Vocals), Eric Matthews (Producer), Eric Matthews (Recorder (Tenor)), Eric Matthews (Main Performer), Eric Matthews (Orchestration), Jeff Kleinsmith (Design), Dan Decker (Engineer), Wes Matthews (Guitar (Acoustic)), Steve "The Barnyard Boss" Hanford (Drums), Steve "The Barnyard Boss" Hanford (Engineer), Rob Bartleson (Engineer), Wendy Karden (Flute), Lori Presthus (Cello)