Mat McHugh goes solo with Seperatista!

18 December 2008 by Richard Wilson

On a first listen, faithful Beautiful Girls fans will not find anything that is too unfamiliar. Collaborating with longtime TBG producer Ian Pritchett has left this album with that immediately noticeable flavour that has evolved over the years on the band's albums. Here the sound, while identifiably TBG, is stripped back sound to bring the acoustic guitar to centre stage. Subtle bass and drums complement the sound while never dominating to leave McHugh's guitar as the one overriding theme on the album. Throughout a smattering of strings, piano horns, ukulele and melodica provide the necessary backing.

You can be forgiven for expecting a surfy-esque collection of acoustic numbers as was common during The Beautiful Girls' early years where their rise paralleled (even preempted) that of Jack Johnson. Here McHugh has carved out a sound unique and not easily compared to anyone other than perhaps his own band. Indeed with the constant genre-bending of TBG, if it weren't for the changes to the backing band, McHugh could just have easily released this under the band's name and leave even the most steadfast of fans satisfied. 'Over and Over (Ring the Alarm)' even comes right out of the band's most recent live set almost verbatim. The reggae theme is continued with 'The Bottle' while 'Bad Blood' takes listeners on perhaps the heaviest journey of the album, with some of the recurring melodica thrown in to solidify the consistent sound of the album.

Old fans should be satisfied with the inclusion of 'Numb', an old McHugh number that hasn't seen the light of day since an early much-bootlegged demo tape. Backed by strings and keys the song is a standout, owing to its decidedly delicate sound that shows a seldom-seen confidence when artists rework older tracks.

The trio 'Under the Landslide', 'Loneliness' and 'Darling, This Scene Must End' are the most radio-friendly tracks of the album and rise above the album to create the feeling this album will be remembered for. The closer, 'Still Be Your Friend' brings ukulele into the mix with a relaxed 'bedroom recording' feel to it.

Seperatista! is a refreshing solo project in that McHugh never tries to redefine himself. Instead we have a solid album that affirms itself as very much a part of The Beautiful Girls' catalogue. The sound is different, but McHugh sounds perfectly natural and comfortable throughout the 40 minute outing.

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