Underdogs didn't gain the success of 1999's Beautiful Midnight album for Canada's Matthew Good Band, but it did meet it's intentions. Underdog's proved that the band was one to be reckoned with, adding grinding, staticky guitar riffs to rutted vocals on the rockier pieces and fluent but perceptive lyrics to the ballads. Good struts his song writing prowess on the haunting "Apparitions" and on the appealingly cryptic "Indestructible," which both received ample airplay upon the album's release. On both of these tracks, the band can be heard coming together under the guidance of Matt Good's lyrics-come-first rule of rock music, which in turn elevates the songs above the average radio norm. Astute and penetratingly subtle, the Matthew Good Band have easily improved since The Last of the Ghetto Astronauts album with one of Underdogs' most socially critical tracks entitled "Everything Is Automatic," which stands out amongst the rest of the album, highlighted by the alternative tenaciousness in it's pace and a mature outlet for Good's cynicism in it's lyrics. Best of all, this album carries a wonderful unprocessed, underdeveloped feel throughout its songs despite its minor prominence and achievements of casting some light on the band. It's relevance is doubly-faceted as an entertaining listen as well as the all-important stepping stone which led to the highly accomplished Beautiful Midnight album. ~ Mike DeGagne