Mathew Ryan
Concussion

Review by Steven Stone
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  I'm a big fan of un-slick, direct acoustic music. Mathew Ryan's new release Concussion is just that. This is country music in the mold of Steve Earle, not Garth Brooks. Ryan's music has the grit of rural red dirt, not the glint of Nashville rhinestones.

Ryan is aided by Richard McLaurin on pedal steel, acoustic guitar, and percussion, Clay Steakley on bass, Craig Kampf on drums, David Henry on cello, Park Ellis on harmonica, and Ray Kennedy on Harmonium. Lucinda Williams, the queen of alt-country, adds duet vocals to "Devastation" while Mark Starks contributes to "Somebody Got Murdered". As you might surmise by the album and song titles mentioned, there's not much in the way of demulcent ditties in the Cowsills vein here. Most of the subject material is grimmer than a rusty hypodermic needle. "Somebody Got Murdered" sounds like Tom Petty in a narcoleptic haze. Good 'though. Sonically Concussion keeps it clean as it dallies in the dumps. Acoustic guitars blend well with cello and pedal steel, retaining their individuality as they meld with the other instrumental parts. While certainly not a sonic blockbuster, Concussion keeps it organic and real.

Concussion has about as much chance of getting airplay on hot country and hip rock stations as Tiny Tim singing Mahler. But just because it ain't mainstream doesn't mean it's worthless. Concussion has an honesty and forthright musicality that is appealing despite its bleak world-view and demeanor. Give it a listen, but not right after your divorce comes through, OK?

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: 90