Get Sunk. Matt Berninger

Where Matt Berninger's solo debut 'Serpentine Prison' became the entrance to the later albums of The National (I still haven't got around to the band's 00s output), his second solo album is the confirmation that I have slowly but surely become a fan. His dark, slow voice is soothing and extremely pleasant to listen to. The songs he sings may have very serious topics, they caress the listener and lets them know that everything will be alright.

After the release of his solo album in 2020, Berninger went through a dark patch in his life, battling a writer's block. Things came out alright with two The National studio albums in 2023 and now a solo album. All three attesting to the fine form Berninger is in.

For Get Sunk Matt Berninger worked with producer Sean O'Brien, who also co-wrote most of the songs.
What is very noticeable, is that, his typical voice apart, Get Sunk is a different album than 'Serpentine Prison'. Get Sunk holds elements of lightness and light, that reaches me easily. Both shine through in the arrangements and the mix that leaves everything open and wide. Where the singer is often melancholy in sound, despite the music following his voice and tone, there's always this silver lining. Of course, Berninger's voice makes everything sound serious. The point is that 'Serpentine Prison' is a far more serious album than Get Sunk is. The sound of the latter album is the cause of the distinction.

Matt Berninger as a singer is most at home in mid tempo songs that move like a big river in the Low Lands. Moving slowly but surely to the sea, while taking its time to get there. Songs in which he is able to take his time to sing the words. It's where his voice and dark timbre excel. The album is filled with several of them, warm and all enveloping, assisted by female voices that sing with him or behind him. They give another touch of light to the songs.

Photo: Chantal Anderson

In the uptempo songs an influence like The War on Drugs comes by, like in single 'Bonnet Of Pins'. Even when the band plays faster, Berninger manages to find the time to deliver his lyrics. Chris Eckman of The Walkabouts and solo is another master at this. The only downside is when Berninger speaks fast, almost mumbled lyrics over the music. I would have preferred singing instead, but if this is the downside of an album, an occasional spoken word here and there, there's not a lot of criticism that really sticks. To return to 'Bonnet Of Pins', fast-paced and rocking, it is my favourite song of the album.

Booker T. Jones, who produced 'Serpentine Prison' is present as a musician on the new album. You can hear his Hammond organ all over the album. One constant in the sound of the backing musicians. Warm, soft and in the background. With O'Brien as a producer Get Sunk is more varied in the sounds it presents. Guitar solos, trumpet solos, meandering pianos, wandering wide ranging music and background vocals in general. It all leads to that light and lightness. With Get Sunk Matt Berninger has a second very good album to his name. Time will tell which one I like best. One thing's for certain, the title of the album is uncalled for.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Get Sunk here:

https://mattberninger.bandcamp.com/album/get-sunk