Belva Plane - Another One I'm Not On or Under

Artist: Belva Plane Title: Another One I'm Not On or Under Catalog#: Parasol-CD-041 Price: $7.50	Tracks on this CD:
	Flirting
	Wish It Would Never End
	I Want To Believe You
	Under the Stairs
	Misled
	Adventure
	Cool With a K
	Stars Might Change
	Boat of a Car
	Leather
	The 2nd
	China Groove
	Everyone Has

Belva Plane
Matthew Pearson-Vocals, Guitar, Drums

Guest Musicians:
Jay Bennett-Guitar
Todd Fletcher-Drums, Piano
Ken Hartz-Guitar
Rob Arrol-Bass
Pat Hawley-Drums

Another One I’m Not On Or Under

Belva Plane’s engine number one, Matthew Pearson, originally hailed from Parasol Records territory, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where he was part of the Sidecar Racers (one 7" on Bus Stop). The first incarnation of Belva Plane formed in a popular C-U bookstore and included Titanic Love Affair vocalist Ken Hartz on guitar and Twiggy’s Todd Fletcher playing drums. This line-up, now defunct, is responsible for half of the songs on AOINOOU. Most of the other half were recorded with a different configuration, in Chicago, with co-producer of Sarge’s The Glass Intact, Matt Allison. For these sessions Todd Fletcher switched over to electric piano. The album’s first song, "Flirting", is from this period and showcases Matthew’s gravelly but endearing pop voice. Sessions preceding the formation of Belva Plane proper contributed three songs to Another One I’m Not On Or Under, to which Wilco’s Jay Bennett added lead guitar.

After declaring himself the band and the album complete, Matthew relocated to the Triangle area of North Carolina. His adopted home notwithstanding, AOINOOU is Midwestern guitar-pop intermingling with the sound of a happier American Music Club and informed by the songwriting of Aimee Mann, Carole King and Roseanne Cash. Catchy songs and a range of pop influences.

• Belva Plane showcased at 1998’s CMJ Music Marathon in New York City
• Matthew is a fan of college basketball

PRESS

Belva Plane is a mid-Western American combo specializing in melodic pop rock of the type that would have been all the rage on college radio in the 80's, but now falls through the cracks. The group as such no longer exists, but... this shouldn't dissuade you from checking [it] out. Most importantly, this is top-notch stuff - there's nary a weak track to be found. Belva Plane is essentially Matthew Pearson, who writes and sings all of the material, and plays many of the instruments as well. He has an earnest vocal style that recalls Tommy Keene, with a voice that sounds like Graham Parker minus the invective. Another one... is a musical bus ride worth being on or under, and it'll be interesting to follow Pearson's future musical projects, whatever they may be.
- Exclaim!

Belva Plane (the group name for one Matthew Pearson) occupy the same lazy, smart and tuneful musical squat as late-era Replacements, with a voice that's both dignified and devastated. Pearson has friends like Jay Bennett and Matt Allison helping out on the album, though they're totally unheralded. I've not heard anyone mention Belva Plane, but this is one of the best CD's to come my way in ages. It's an album to collapse on the sofa with, an album that tells stories and brings back memories. Lyrical comparisons could be made to Tommy Keene, though soundwise this has a more acoustic and rootsy style. I wholeheartedly recommend this album, especially to those of you who latched on to the endearingly sad tones of Elliott Smith.
- Bucketfull of Brains

Matthew Pearson is a singer with a distinctive gruff voice, similar to Van Morrison or the guy from the Counting Crows. Combine that with country rock similar to that of Son Volt or Wilco (whose Jay Bennett chimes in on guitar), and you get a catchy mix of roots and some hot picking. There's a lot of variety to the backup on the songs, sometimes a big full band, sometimes a lighter feel.
- The Big Take-Over