An old review I posted when I first bought the album, apart from the last half which got cut off in the internet somehow.I bought "Decomposer", the sophomore album from Californian band 'The Matches' about two weeks ago. It's been a frustrating purchase only because of the attention it's NOT receiving. No one I know has bought it, or even knows The Matches, any review I've found has been indifferent. Honestly? It's my favourite album of 2006.Even anyone familiar with The Matches would be thrown off from the opening seconds of the first track, "Salty Eyes", about a love of music, the violin and guitar in which could pass as a 19th century parlour piece. The CD then jumps into "Drive", featuring techno style synth and beats, bold lyrics and an incredibly catchy chorus. Shawn Harris and co. have a clever insight into society and youth. The tone becomes more punky with the deliciously catchy chorus to "Little Maggots", then moves onto "Sunburn Vs. The Rhinovirus" with fantastic guitar harmonies to match and contrast the heights of Harris' vocals. "Lazier Than Furniture" is almost too crazy for words, especially towards the end, where I'm sure I heard a chair being thrown.Next follows the sweet ballad "Didi (My Doe, Part 2)". The bridge in particular gets stuck in your head for days. Then onto "You (Don't) Know Me", the standout track on the album for me. The use of trilling voices and samples makes for an outstanding track, very upbeat sounding considering the producer (Rancid's Tim Armstrong).Whipping through "My Soft And Deep" and the provocative "Shoot Me In The Smile", the album ends on a darker note with "The Barber's Unhappiness", an interpretation of George Saunders' Pastoralia. Ends? No not quite. After the final distortion fades out, the album once again jumps into an alternate mix of "You (Don't) Know Me". There aren't many changes but once you listen to it a few times you can hear the differences.The Matches may fit the new punk genre, but they certainly push the limits on conformity with 'Decomposer'. Featuring nine separate producers and a strong creative influence from Miles Hurwitz (producer of 'E.Von Dahl Killed the Locals') 'Decomposer' is a standout album.