Matt Nathanson’s latest album “Last of the Great Pretenders” highlights the trials and tribulations of his romantic relationships, which lead to great lyrics and an even better album.
This rocker/singer-songwriter’s first single off his new album, “Mission Bells,” is about letting someone you love slip away. In the song, Nathanson imagines losing the love of his life and wanting nothing more than to be with her. When the “whoa oh” background vocals come on, the only option is to sing along because the melody sucks the listener in.
Nathanson’s voice is raspy and original and he knows how to translate his emotions into his music and make the listener want to take the emotional ride with him. This Lexington, Mass. native has been making records since 1993 and is known for radio hits like “Come on get Higher,” “Modern Love” and “Run.” Guitar-playing Nathanson wrote or co-wrote all the tracks on this tenth studio album.
Other highlights from “Last of the Great Pretenders” include the playful tracks “Kinks Shirt” and “Birthday Girl”; dancing to them is inevitable. “Kinks Shirt” is about a girl Nathanson can’t get out of his head. The beat of the drums makes this song come to life and matches the intensity of how much this girl
is on his mind and how fast his heart is racing.
“Save me, I get lost so easy/Come on and lift the fog, my birthday girl/The rains came, turned all the hills green/Turn the dirt to flowers, birthday girl/My birthday girl” is the chorus to “Birthday Girl,” a song about having that someone to make the day brighter. The passionate vocals and increasing tempo allow the listener to feel Nathanson’s energy and how much he wants this girl to make his day better.
Slower tunes “Heart Starts,” “Sky High Honey” and “Last Days of Summer in San Francisco” are songs to listen to on a rainy day. They are about Nathanson’s rebuilding his broken heart after a memorable summer in San Francisco.
If you’re having a bad day, listen to this album. If you’re having an amazing day, listen to this album. The music will cheer you up or make you even more eager to start the day.
Nathanson’s spirited songs and artistic longevity prove he’s not pretending; he’s the real deal.
