Continuing his exquisite soul-searching quest via musical expression, Canadian rock icon Matt Good brings a new slate of finely-crafted tunes to Red Deer’s Memorial Centre Nov. 12.

Showtime is 8 p.m.

Good is downright unafraid to delve into new territory. From hitting the stage with the Matthew Good Band back in the 1990s to solo outings such as Hospital Music to the 2011 Juno-winning CD Vancouver, Good is all about testing new sonic ventures.

The adventure continues on his latest project Lights Of Endangered Species which was released this past May. Described as ‘stark and passionate’ and despite its unrestrained creative stretching, the compelling project resonates comfortably with fans.

From the imposing title track to the simply structured, percussive and haunting Extraordinary Fades, the project continues to show how gifted Good truly is at portraying his thoughts, perceptions and feelings. Tunes drift along at nearly a dream-like, mellow pace. How It Goes sounds comparatively light with its gentle acoustic guitar strumming and is an ideal vehicle for Good’s vocal outstanding vocal talents as well.

With such an extensive musical history at a comparatively young age, it’s tough to believe Good didn’t have much of an interest in music until early adulthood. He didn’t grow up in an overly musical home, for one thing.

And he didn’t even pick up a guitar until he was about 20.

But once he did, a gift for performing soon surfaced.

“I love the expression of it,” he says of his chosen career during a recent interview. “It gives you the ability to express ideas and explain different avenues in a very unique way.”

After the Matthew Good Band called it quits in 2002, Good’s first solo outing was 2003’s Avalanche. White Light Rock & Roll Review followed in 2004 and In a Coma was released in 2005.

Lights Of Endangered Species marks his 12th project to date.

The concept for the album had come to mind several years prior, he explains, although selecting the musical foundation was another matter.

“I focused on the use of different musical instrumentation. But otherwise, there wasn’t a lot of surprises for me in that regard.”

The recording was completed in quick fashion – a matter of weeks. It was the same with past recordings – Vancouver took about four weeks to wrap up and tracks for Hospital Music were laid within about three weeks.

“When you don’t have millions of dollars at your disposal, you don’t have a lot of time,” he says with a laugh. But time restraints aside, Good’s raw talents have not only landed him commercial success but plenty of critical recognition as well.

Over the years, Good has won four Juno Awards and has been nominated 18 times including his most recent win at the 2011 Juno Awards for Rock Album of the Year for Vancouver.

His approach to crafting songs doesn’t follow a particular pattern. Inspiration can flow easily, or come in fits and starts. “It changes, and it’s never the same way twice.”

Thankfully, he’s always been able to utilize music as a means of expressing much about his own perceptions. In 2007, that candidness surfaced intensely on Hospital Music, a disc dedicated to the ordeal Good was thrust into when dealing with bipolarity. Good described the musical approach to that album as more simply-structured, and more fitting to the disc’s themes.

Using the creativity of music to work through the revelation and realism of that diagnosis, Good formed an unbreakable bond based on what proved to be one of his most impeccable albums.

Besides his plethora of tunes, Good is also a prolific writer and blogger with an avid interest in various global and political issues via his web site. He has also been heavily involved with Amnesty International, bringing Amnesty representatives on the road with him during his 2004 tour.

He was also awarded the Mental Health Voices 2008 Award on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association, an award for proliferating awareness of mental health issues throughout Canada.

For tickets to his City show, visit www.centralalbertatheatre.ca or call 403-347-0800.

editor@reddeerexpress.com