An enviable knack for elevating the everyday into the realm of the eternal distinguishes Matthew Ryan from the alt-country pack. He is a prolific talent, releasing no fewer than eleven albums in the past ten years, but latest offering Matthew Ryan Vs The Silver State really does feel like a milestone. These are songs that hurtle headlong into the listener's affections, emotions unvarnished, music unforgettable. MRVSS finds the American songwriter sharpening his soul-piercing songcraft on the whetting stone of personal mythology. It’s a questing record, Ryan casting the net of nostalgia and dredging up all kinds of intimacies, trying to work out just what it is that makes us the people we are.
There is no sheen to these songs: not only are they emotionally direct, but they are musically raw, each track recorded live, the lack of polish leaving the songs’ tender core exposed. The opening brace ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ and ‘American Dirt’ display lovely dynamic range, the former an exquisitely stoned meditation the latter full of steely intent, muscular and purposeful. Throughout the lyrics are slathered in a wistful languor. On the pivotal ‘It Could Have Been Worse’ he evokes bygone days with bruising clarity: “She’s the first girl you kissed / She’s the first girl you miss”. Clearly the past cannot be escaped no matter how fast you run.
Elsewhere there is a sense of broken down yearning, note ‘I Only Want To Be The Man You Want’ and ‘Drunk And Disappointed’. And yet though the heartache here stings it never smothers, for there is an unquenchable optimism underpinning this music, a willingness to regard the world in all its gnarled beauty, creating poetry of joy and sorrow alike. The audaciously accomplished ‘They Were Wrong’ and the final ‘Closing In’ even find Ryan bossing territories once the sole preserve of Springsteen. And though not every track is quite so star spangled, MRVSS remains a glittering triumph of a record.
MRVSS
This is the latest in a long line of fabulous albums produced by Matthew Ryan - in this disposable age of music his songs won't always grab you immediately but they reward anyone who is prepared to invest a bit of time to find songs with lyrics that mean something and which which you can connect. This man knows how to tell a story ... and what is more he's also a truly nice bloke.
Heartily recommended.
Great MRVSS
First time I listened to M.R.´s music it really blowed my mind up!!. Actually "Follow The Leader" (unfortenately I discovered this guy recently) continues to be one of my favorites once I have his full discography.
Just have to say thank you for your kind review. MRVSS is the release of the year.
Glad to know I am not the only one who FEELS with his music!!
Matthew Ryan
This is another in a long line of "music that matters" that Matthew Ryan has released - starting with May Day in October, 1997. MRVSS is an early frontrunner for CD of the year - and it is going to be very difficult to overtake. If you like "real", thought-provoking music, then you need this CD!
MRVSS
This is Matthew's third perfect 10. Mayday, Regret Over The Wires and now MRVSS. His lyrics have something to say, he is musically raw and vocally unpolished but all together it is music with conviction, hope and vulnerability.
I like Francis Jones' review...he gets it!
Yes, buy this CD!!!
Matthew Ryan
Glad to see Matt getting the coverage he so rightly deserves. He plays some of the most affecting music I've heard. Alluring melodies with hooks that really hook. Listen up people, there's something really good here...
tour in June
TBA.. expect dates :)
Best CD so far in 2008
I've played this just about everyday for the past 3 weeks and have to say it's the best CD I've heard so far in 2008. The year is relatively young still, but I'm wondering what it will take to get me to take this out of the CD player.
"They Were Wrong" is the highlight of the album for me and I hear it may be featured in a Christian Ricci movie. I'm so glad Matthew's work is getting noticed. He deserves much more recognition.
Matthew's latest
I can listen to Matthew Ryan's music over and over without tiring. His music (this latest disc no exception) is so rich and layered and deep and I find myself mesmerized and in love.
He is truly brilliant.