Last year my friend Scott introduced me to the music of Matt Nathanson, a San Francisco-based singer-songwriter. His acoustic-rock style instantly drew me in; but his adept lyricism made me a fan. Although it was recorded in 2003, his Beneath These Fireworks quickly became one of my favorite albums of last year. Last week, Nathanson released his latest album Some Made Hope, his most mature sounding work to date. If you’re a fan of the singer-songwriter, coffeehouse genre, I highly recommend Matt Nathanson. Click here to check out his website and to stream Some Mad Hope.
About the same time, Taylor loaned me a copy of Josh Ritter’s The Animal Years. At first listen, it didn’t do much for me but a deeper look revealed the brilliance of Ritter’s artistry. Oft compared to Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Ritter marries his folk-rock sound with lyrics that are sometimes complicated but always beautiful. After receiving critical acclaim for Animal Years (it made numerous 2006 Top Ten lists), Ritter releases his new album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, tomorrow. The Amazon.com review declares that Historical is, hands down, the album of 2007 and hails Ritter as “the most under-accorded American musical genius.” If you want to hear for yourself, click here and stream some clips from the new album. And run, don’t walk, to pick up your copy tomorrow.
already & not yet 
I didn’t even know that Nathanson had a new one out. Thanks for the heads up.
I have Nathanson’s At the point (live) from eMusic, and it’s really good. I haven’t heard any of his other stuff. Looks like his new one isn’t on emusic, but I’ll have to check it out.I can’t wait for tomorrow. I love what I’ve heard of Ritter’s newest. I got Animal Years back in March, I think, but just in the last couple of months, I’ve downloaded his first two albums as well, and I think I’ve enjoyed Hello Starling as much as Animal Years. I just got …Radio last week, so I’ve not had many listens yet, but it’s pretty good, too.
You’ll have to let me know what you think. So far, I think it’s a stronger effort than Fireworks.
Greg,I’m pumped about Historical. It sounds great, what I’ve heard of it. Did you get any of his earlier albums on eMusic?
I got all three from eMusic. I think he has an earlier disc that’s not on eMusic (his first release), but the others are there. I want his live album from Dublin, too (not on eMusic), but haven’t gotten it.
I had an eMusic subscription back in the day, but I let it expire. If I can get those old Ritter albums, I might re-up.
So far after one listen it hasn’t grabbed me like Fireworks. But it’s just one listen.I too am pumped about tomorrow. He will have a tough time repeating as my number one album of the year but it should be stellar none the less.Jason, there is a ton of reasons to rejoin emusic.
I must be missing it… where can you stream Nathanson’s new one at? I can’t seem to find it…
His webpage has a link where you can stream it at MSN or AOL.
Oh, I see it now. Apparently I was confused by it being IN PLAIN SIGHT on the FRONT PAGE. Sorry, I’m an idiot…
Bro! It’s been a while. I wanted to let you know that I’m back blogging a bit. I started yesterday and am going to try to do it more. I just did a top 20 list I think could generate some talk amongst your crew. Check it out and let me know what you think!