Matthew Ryan Ryan's sorrow manifests itself most in his scratchy voice, but his delivery so often feels like an homage to Tom Waits that it's difficult to focus on Ryan's own style (the dramatic "Jane, I Still Feel the Same" sounds particularly Waitsian). Those breathy, theatrical vocals overpower "American Dirt," which is unfortunate considering everything else Ryan has going for him. His imagery and the simple yet precise instrumentation of his three-piece backing band are exquisite, but they would be even more powerful if the edge in his voice were just a little softer. -- Catherine P. Lewis
.: Originally published: The Washington Post: 5 September 2008, Page WE08
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