Matthew Dear's "Asa Breed" is one of the definitive genre-hopping albums. While the core is still made up of beats and rhythms, and drum machines and keyboards, there are elements of new wave and indie pop -- and even some country (!) moments, and a great Beach Boys-sounding piece. "Asa Breed" could have turned out as a cute hodgepodge of ideas but is instead his best, most ambitious album to date.

Matthew Dear's Asa Breed is one of the definitive genre-hopping albums. While the core is still made up of beats and rhythms, and drum machines and keyboards, there are elements of new wave and indie pop -- and even some country (!) moments, and a great Beach Boys-sounding piece -- with electric guitars and Dear's vocals very upfront and center. Asa Breed could've turned out as a cute hodgepodge of random ideas but is instead Matthew Dear's best and most ambitious album to date. (June 7, 2007)