Dogwood

Matt Aragon (Tooth & Nail)
by Scott Hefflon

Picking on Christian punk is like kicking a cute puppy, so I ain’t gonna do it, OK? Matt Aragon is evidently a swell, giving guy everyone likes when they meet him. “He is a wonderfull (sic) example of Jesus’ love and sacrificial being; knowing him humbles us and challenges us to be more like Jesus.” I think that’s sweet. Better’n calling your record Scott Hefflon and declaring “Scott’s a jerk, a real kneebiter.* Knowing him makes us want to wash and challenges us to be better people than Scott, who, as we may’ve mentioned, is a jerk.” Produced by Ryan Greene. But NOFXian drum thunder and some neat production tricks don’t save predictable songwriting and the simple fact that the singer – husky voice or not – misses a lot of notes. And it’s not like the melodies are all that tough in the first place. Keep praying, guys. (Sorry.) Maybe singing songs unto the Lord is something you can do in the privacy of your home or church, or maybe (gasp!) it’s not meant to be taken literally. (Sorry again. They hate when you bring that up…)
(PO Box 12698 Seattle, WA 98111)

*That’s a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy tip. Douglas Adams was a far better writer than I am, and I’m humbled and challenged by his wit and wisdom and easy-going style. And since Douglas Adams was a child of God and all that, that means I’m in a roundabout way giving the big G a thumbs-up for a job well done. That’s the closest I get…