Mattox is my Prizefighter

By Christina R

Bain Mattox, a small band based out of Athens and Atlanta, Georgia, has scored again with its sophomore album, Prizefighter. This album, released November 1, 2005, tells the listener about the life of frontman Bain Mattox, the band's namesake. Though he's always been a strong and striking lyricist, Mattox's artfully worded songs about quarrelling, relationships and his father make this album a prime demonstration of the 24-year-old's growth since the release of the band's last album, the self-titled Bain Mattox, in 2003. The music is also a welcomed display of the band's maturation with age and experience. While maintaining the band's unique instrumentation like accordion and banjo, it is darker and heavier than most of the first album, and, at times, is reminiscent of Counting Crows, and Coldplay. Prizefighter, funded entiring by fans who pre-ordered the album, is a victory for the band, delighting old fans while attracting new. Album stand-outs include "Prizefighter," "Slowpoke," and the ever-heart-wrenching "Closer to Me."