MATTHEW RYAN VS. THE SILVER STATE

Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State

2008-05-05

Matthew Ryan gets rockier with a bunch of musical compatriots in this set of anthems, sounding like he's fronting a band rather than a solo act accompanied by background musicians. The result, some reviewers say, is a Tom Petty sound-alike. I find MRVSS much closer to Bono and U2 because of the decidedly more emotional delivery -- and, in some cases, larger themes. The opener, "Dulce Et Decorum Est" brings in a fiddle early on that sets that Irish-sounding tone and then the second number, "American Dirt," seals the deal -- Bono, not Petty. "It Could've Been Worse" and "Closing In" are also standouts. Ryan makes a smart move forming this group; he's like Springsteen finding his E Street Band. MJVD 05/08 R-Roots

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 12/2005

    SILVER JEWS
    Tanglewood Numbers

  • reviewed 04/2005

    Lemonjelly
    '64 - '95

  • reviewed 06/2006

    Tim Easton
    Ammunition

  • reviewed 10/2007

    STARS
    In Our Bedroom After The War

  • reviewed 11/2013

    Aloa Input
    Anysome

  • reviewed 07/2009

    THE BOTTLE ROCKETS
    LEAN FORWARD

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.