What makes Vancouver by Matthew Good notable?

Vancouver received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and musical composition, establishing itself as a pivotal release in Good's catalog. The album peaked at number 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart, showcasing Good's continued relevance in the Canadian music scene. Released on January 1, 2009, Vancouver is Matthew Good's fifth studio album and marks a significant moment following his 2007 record, Hospital Music. At this point in his career, Good was transitioning from the commercial peak of his earlier work to a more introspective sound, reflecting on personal struggles and broader societal issues.

Who is Vancouver for?

Vancouver works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and contemplative evening reflections.

How many songs are on Vancouver?

Vancouver has 10 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Vancouver

Matthew Good · 2009

57 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A moody exploration of personal and environmental themes wrapped in expansive melodies and haunting vocals.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Last Parade — Opening with poignant lyrics about loss and reflection, this track sets the emotional tone for the entire album with its haunting melody.
→
The Boy Who Could Explode — This track stands out for its vivid imagery and metaphorical narrative that explores themes of potential and self-destruction, driven by an engaging rhythm.
→
Volcanoes — With its climactic build-up and passionate delivery, this song captures the album’s essence by illustrating inner turmoil against an expansive sonic backdrop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and emotional contrasts, but its impact is more contained within its genre.

What we noticed

The first three tracks build a gradual intensity, with layered instrumentation that peaks before the fourth track introduces a more subdued tone.
Several tracks feature dynamic shifts, moving from quiet verses to explosive choruses, creating a contrast that emphasizes emotional weight.
The album closes with two tracks that significantly drop in tempo, allowing for a reflective conclusion after the preceding intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
contemplative evening reflections
wave-like pacing and builds

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on January 1, 2009, Vancouver is Matthew Good's fifth studio album and marks a significant moment following his 2007 record, Hospital Music. At this point in his career, Good was transitioning from the commercial peak of his earlier work to a more introspective sound, reflecting on personal struggles and broader societal issues.
Stylistic neighbors: David Gray· Gavin DeGraw· The Fray

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Last Parade 5:54
2 The Boy Who Could Explode 7:07
3 Great Whales of the Sea 3:31
4 Us Remains Impossible 4:46
5 On Nights Like Tonight 4:23
6 Volcanoes 5:03
7 A Silent Army in the Trees 5:37
8 Fought to Fight It 4:23
9 The Vancouver National Anthem 6:54
10 Empty's Theme Park 9:29

What to play next

Listen next

Lights of Endangered Species

2011

Go back to

Live at Massey Hall

2008

Full Matthew Good discography Artists like Matthew Good

acoustic music alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata