Stealin' Home (Expanded Reissue Incl. 9 Bonus Tracks) (1978)

"Even though it was recorded in Oxfordshire, this 1978 album re-created the meticulously crafted sound of West Coast pop with impressive accuracy, and Matthews shrewdly front-loaded the LP with tunes from other songwriters whose work was better suited to radio than Matthews' own tunes. But if this is a rare example of Ian Matthews playing the game of star-making machinery, he played the game well. Matthews' vocals are superb throughout, and his band is tasteful in its arrangements. "Stealin' Home" is ear candy, manufactured to high quality standards, and Matthews' own tunes made clear he hadn't changed even if the backdrops were sunnier. The booklet of this 2014 reissue includes a new interview with Matthews, in which he says: "this album did precisely what it was supposed to do. It raised my profile, without lowering my credibility." The bonus performances are leaner and with significantly more fire than the studio versions. This is an excellent presentation of an underrated album." (Mark Deming, Allmusic)