Matthew Good — Live At Massey Hall

When it comes to live albums, "less talk, more rock" is generally a rule to follow. But in the case of Matthew Good's double disc offering, more banter would've been nice. That's not to say the musical part of this equation is lacking. Live At Massey Hall is a well-rounded look at his career so far, with its mix of solo material and old Matthew Good Band favourites, and its delicate balance between Good's introspective numbers and bombastic moments. With the exception of a lacklustre take on "Load Me Up," it's a solid release that works as both a completing piece for longtime fanatics and a warm welcome back to those who've drifted since the demise of MGB. Listening to Good's self-deprecating take on the lyrics for "Hello Time Bomb," though, it's hard not to want to hear more than the brief comments and jokes that sprinkle the rest of the record. Those, in particular, are the sort of glimpses of humanity that will bring wayward Good fans back into the fold. Good has always been almost as talented a storyteller as he is a songwriter, and it would be nice to see those talents share the spotlight a little more.