You know him as the drummer behind the hard rock juggernauts of Guns ‘N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver but Matt Sorum has so much more to offer musically. He has just released a new album “Stratosphere” under the name Matt Sorum’s Fierce Joy and what a joy this album is.
“Stratosphere” is a real coming of age record for Matt with a laidback, acoustic vibe that showcases his different musical stylings. He was very particular about everything on the record, down to the exact instruments used for the recordings. The album was recorded mostly live and mixed old school style to give it a really soulful seventies sound. Matt sounds fantastic taking on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano and the orchestration on the record is absolutely beautiful.
No longer the partying drummer in a metal band, the lyrics are more mature and introspective reflecting where Matt’s life is at now. Whether he is singing about spiritual awakenings and entering a new chapter of life on the uplifting “The Sea” and “Blue” or giving us his take on global warming on “Lady of the Stone,” the songs are poignant and emotional. Not to be missed is the elegant, piano driven “Josephine” written about Matt’s grandmother.
Although “Stratosphere” is a step in a very different direction for Matt, it is an absolute gem of a record. Music lovers rejoice and enjoy!
