Matt Berninger - "Serpentine Prison" (October 16, 2020)

“Serpentine Prison” stands on two very strong legs.

By Steve Forrest

As soon as this lush album gets fired up, you know you’re in for a smooth ride. For any fan of The National the tone of this album comes as little surprise to what you might be expecting, however the difference lies in the intimate nature of the writing and production which have characters all of their own. It certainly stands alone as a solo collection of tunes both heartbreakingly beautiful and triumphantly optimistic. You really get a sense of Matt Berninger’s talents now hearing him on his own and it’s a lovely experience.

The songs on this album tell tales of heartbreak, longing, tragic endings, and silver linings giving you a sense of where the singer was at the time of creative conception. Lyrically balancing between literal and cryptic poetry, Berninger’s minimalist approach sings volumes and upon the 2nd or even 3rd listen of this LP, one finds themselves hanging on to every word and awaiting the simple hooks to which have already become familiar.

Not every lead singer’s solo attempts prove to be successful without the creativity of the band which they have come up with, but “Serpentine Prison” stands on two very strong legs and has me excited about what else might come from Berningers solo archives in the future.

A 10 out of 10, I would recommend this album to anyone who has patience and dedication to sit down and experience an entire album for what it is whether than looking for just a hit single to throw on their playlist. A truly great adventure from start to finish.