He's a prolific guy is MATTHEW RYAN. It's barely six months since his last album (the superb "Concussion") and that record came on the back of co-writing, producing and playing on Texan-based singer/ songwriter Jeff Klein's wonderfully wracked album, "Everybody Loves A Winner." In terms of both work rate and the excellence of his output, he reminds your reviewer of David Bowie's remarkable work, both solo and with Iggy Pop circa '76/'77.
"Regret Over The Wires" is magnificently potent stuff. Like "Concussion" it was recorded in Nashville (this time over a feverishly creative 30 days), but only cellist David Henry (who appears on the opening track "Return To Me") remains from the musicians who backed Ryan on that album. This time, the players include co-producer Doug Lancio (of Patty Griffin fame) on guitars, mandolin and dulcimer, bassist Mark Robertson (Those Legendary Shack Shakers), guitarist Kevin Teel and drummer JJ Johnson and - overall at least - "Regret Over The Wires" is much more of an upbeat rock'n'roll record.
Which isn't to say all traces of "Concussion" have been obliterated. On the contrary, both opener "Return To Me" and the tremendous closing track "Skylight" (which was intriguingly influenced by renowned Irish poet Seamus Heaney) are steeped in subtle loops and affecting sadness, while "Every Good Thing" returns to the parched, blasted acoustic confessional style of "Concussion"'s best tracks and "Nails" represents the album's one deep-rooted counry foray; lilting and swaying to the tune of guest Bucky Baxter's expressive pedal steel.
Nevertheless, Ryan's gripping melancholia remains equally effective when underpinned by a cooking rock'n'roll outfit. Songs like "Long Blvd" are coloured by subtle strings and contain an epic, almost Springsteen-y feel, whilst "Come Home" sounds like the kind of low-riding emotional rocker Paul Westerberg is so good at and tracks like the single "The Little Things" and the nagging, proud "Sweetie" cruise past beautifully, never once forgetting to tug hard on your heartstrings.
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Ryan is a consummate, if slightly raggy presence throughout, too. He sings in a ghostly, gravelly voice like a mutation between Paul Westerberg and Peter Lorre with his heart set on salvation, but his head feeling the lure of oblivion. His exceptionally personal lyrics are never once less than vivid and affecting, either. His frustrated futility is all too palpable on the rolling, coruscating blowout of "Caged Bird", when he growls: "A real puppet's got its' teeth gnashin' at the strings"; while even on the bracing "Come Home" he's singing of: "Our cat is sad and withdrawn, our dog just stares at the lawn, none of us are eating - I think they blame me you're gone."
So yeah, life sucks and then you die and Matthew Ryan sure ain't gonna tell it like it isn't. However, "Regret Over The Wires" finds some sunlight seeping through the intensely personal cracks in his psyche and allies it to some memorably tuneful, full-on rock'n'roll. He continues to blow this reviewer away and at this rate he can only impinge on far greater numbers of disciples. Excellent.
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