Matthew Ryan - Hold On Firefly/Jane, I Still Feel The Same (One Little Indian)
UK release date: 7 July 2008
Lauded by some as the new Springsteen, Matthew Ryan has been a working songwriter for ten years now, releasing eleven albums along the way. This double A-side is taken from his commercially praised Matthew Ryan vs The Silver State to promote the American’s July UK tour.
Hold On Firefly sounds like Grant Lee Buffalo fronted by Dylan after smoking 60 cigarettes in as many minutes. The gritty element to Ryan’s voice will perhaps prove an acquired taste, but the musical backdrop is sound, with an infectious electric guitar riff and Basement On A Hill-era Elliott Smith-esque production.
Jane, I Still Feel The Same, however, is far more refined and desolate, featuring only warm acoustic guitar and a lilting cello. Ryan’s voice too is more palatable. A juxtaposed double A-side then, and perhaps the Springsteen plaudits are a touch histrionic, but for fans of Josh Rouse, Badly Drawn Boy, and Elliott Smith, this is deserved of investigation.
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