AMG Review of Live from the Hotel Cafe

Andrew Leahey
All Music Guide

Matt Hires' debut marks the beginning of the Hotel Cafe concert series, which highlights selected performances from the Hollywood venue. Taken from a July 2008 gig, this EP presents Hires' competent (if somewhat commonplace) approach to the guitar-and-vocals formula. He sings with a slight warble, even channeling Conor Oberst's tremulous melodies during the bridge of "Oh, Sunrise," and the bulk of this four-song effort deals with his love life. "You Are the One" and "Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song" are self-explanatory song titles, with major-key bursts of acoustic guitar underscoring Hires' romantic come-ons. (It's worth noting that the latter song wasn't taken from the ~Hotel Cafe gig, although its studio treatment is purposely roughed up to simulate a concert environment.) "Open your mind and let your beauty flow like wine," Hires sings, sounding like a younger Dave Matthews. His craft may not be up to par with that songwriting giant, but Live from the Hotel Cafe shows that Hires' influences are in the right place.