This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Cantankerous Can-rocker Matthew Good’s latest disc is billed as a raw, back-to-basics affair. And it is — part of the time, anyway.
White Light Rock & Roll Review sees the vitriolic singer-guitarist getting back in touch with his inner rocker, eschewing the string arrangements and artsy grandeur of his last few discs for stripped-down tracks sporting arena-sized riffs, propulsive beats and Matt’s unmistakable Michael Stipe-meets-Gord Downie vocal bleatings. Naturally, though, Good’s upbeat mood doesn’t last. For nearly every punchy anthem like Put Out Your Lights, Poor Man’s Grey or North American For Life, there’s a strummy buzzkill like Empty Road or the unfortunately titled We’re So Heavy. So even though White Light Rock & Roll Review is easily Good’s most energized effort of late, it doesn’t quite live up to either its title or its advance billing.
