Sunday, September 11, 2011

Modern Love

I've been really excited to write about this new album since I downloaded it a couple weeks ago, but I haven't been able to stop listening to it long enough to do so - until now. That album is Matt Nathanson's latest - Modern Love. 

The single that's all over the radio right now is 'Faster' which features an infectious horn section and an ear worm hook. Add to that, Matt's raspy voice and you have a song that any girl's toes would curl to hear. And unlike so many pop albums lately, this one doesn't just start and end with a bang of one radio hit. It is brimming full of soon to be hits that fight for control of your brain. And even better - it's not all about the pep. While their are plenty of songs that make you want to roll your window down and bob your head, there are also plenty that will make you take pause and think - some do both.

This album analyzes every aspect of a relationship you could think of - so it's for everyone. Did you just find love? Are you wondering where you stand with your current love? Do you wish you never met the last love? There's a song for you on this album. There are lines that you will swear were written exactly for your situation, or definitely one that you've been in before. One that knocked me out was from the song that lends its name to the CD. It's told from the girl's point of view, "I burned my house down, just to hear 'em scream my name." Oh yes, I have.


And that is the beauty of Matt Nathanson's song writing abilities. He can take seemingly mundane, everyday things and write them in such beautiful ways that will tug at you and have you yearning to hear them again and again. His rhyming schemes create images in your head, and tickle your ears. Nothing is ordinary or predictable. This is what the word 'lyrics' was written for. These aren't just words set to music.

If you want to experience everything that Matt Nathanson is, listen to 'Kiss Quick'. Sadly, this will probably never be a song that they play on the radio as it is too real. It shows you the raw emotion that can be portrayed in a song. Basic music, beautifully written and thoughtfully carried out lyrics, a raw delivery that paints a picture of a late Saturday night alone, all blend together to showcase what the radio will never show you about this talented musician.

I just can't say enough about this album. It's a rarity - good from start to finish, don't skip anything. Your new favorite song is on this album, I guarantee it. Oh! And if you decide you like him, he's a great person to follow on Facebook. He posts an album of the day everyday, he's very funny, and recently he just put together an iTunes playlist of songs that he enjoys. He definitely keeps you in the loop as a fan. And if you REALLY like him, you should go see him live on his new 'All Night Noise' Tour!