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Peter Matthew Bauer // Liberation!
The Philadelphia-based musician takes listeners on a spiritual journey on his debut.
July 9, 2014 at 9:20 AM
Peter Matthew Bauer
Liberation!
Mexican Summer
4 Stars
You may not recognize Peter Matthew Bauer's face, but indie-rock fans have come to know the man thanks to his duties as bassist and organist for The Walkmen. Given that band's current hiatus, many of its members are releasing solo albums (you can even read our review of frontman Hamilton Leithauser's debut on this very same page!), and Liberation! marks Bauer's chance to step into the spotlight. The Philadelphia-based musician takes us on a spiritual journey on his debut, starting off with the beginning of his own story on "I was Born in an Ashram," an easygoing intro into Bauer's Indian-influenced sound. Liberation! touches upon influences of Tom Petty-style American rock and Walkmen-esque clanging guitars, rambling onward on its journey on Fortune Tellers while settling down on the relaxed '60s vibe of "Shiva the Destroyer." While Bauer admitted that he was still learning how to truly "sing" while making Liberation!, the album shows that he certainly has his own voice. — Alex Bieler