Review: Matthew Check Records First Secular Album in a Decade, 'The Condesa Queen'

If you know the name Matthew Check, it's likely from one of two places. For many, he's known as the award-winning creator of Jewish children's music. For others, he's known for his 2019 “Jewgrass” album with fellow Jewish educator Joanie Leeds, Sterling, which was one of our favorites of the year. Like many artists, COVID-19 hit Check hard financially, causing him to sub-let his Manhattan apartment and return to his childhood home in Newtown, PA. Finding himself suddenly with a surplus of time, and a deficit of cash, Check filled his days songwriting. The result is The Condesa Queen, independently releasing 12/11.

For fans of Check, The Condesa Queen will likely be a different experience than they are accustomed to for two reasons. First, with a couple of exceptions, this is very much a secular album, primarily dealing with romantic relationships gone wrong. Second, Check decided in such an unusual year and on such an unusual album, he may as well go all in and, for the first time, compose his songs on piano, rather than his usual banjo and guitar. In fact, his location made it possible to write on the very Yamaha Baby Grand he was forced to take lessons on when he was 10.

The first song from that writing is the most piano-heavy song on the album, “Came Into the Room.” It's a good indication of how different this album is from his usual output. Instead of folk and bluegrass, “Came Into the Room” sounds more influenced by classic rock and adult contemporary artists like Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, and Harry Chapin.

Another album highlight is “Old Fashioned.” With a more familiar twang than some of the album's other songs, “Old Fashioned” hits both the highs and lows of romance, and the attempt to use normality and routine to deny an undeniable end. “Call me old fashioned”, Check croons, “I'll make the coffee, pretend like you care. Call me old fashioned, do me a favor. Pretend like you care?

For those who love Check's religious songs, there's also “Good Old Jonah”, a progressive retelling of the parable of Jonah, and the “biblical flounder” that swallowed him. But even here, there's a more adult tack than his children's output.

There's plenty to recommend on The Condesa Queen. The driving instrument might be different, the influences shifted, and the content more mature than he's known for, but the same basic songwriting talent and avuncular musical output is retained.

You can get The Condesa Queen on Check's Bandcamp Page on 12/11.