View basket “Quit The Curse” has been added to your basket. Hustle Up Starlings Matthew Ryan SKU: BLULP0701 Barcode: 4028466317018 22.00 £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Blue Rose Released Date: 31st January 2018 Buying Format: 1LP Out of stock Back Order Add to your Wishlist Description Product Info Blessed with a particularly attractive rasp of a voice, singer-songwriter and rock’n’roller Matthew Ryan is out to excite his fans and well-informed critics with his brand new Blue Rose album Hustle Up Starlings. It’s a powerful comeback album and follow-up to the much-lauded Boxers, released in 2014, also on the label located in the South of Germany. Hustle Up Starlings is Ryan’s 13th release since his debut album May Day in 1997 announced him as one of the most promising acts in the Springsteen-meets-Westerberg-folk-rock-songwriter camp. If you go back to reading the accolades that practically every Matthew Ryan album received, it seems hard to grasp why he hasn’t broken through on a bigger scale yet. Even in 2017 Matthew Ryan should be a household name when it comes to moving, hand-made, intelligent, accessible Americana rock delivered in a very special sandstone voice. Is Hustle Up Starlings another critics’ darling that’s going to earn rave reviews and make it onto year-end favorites lists – or could it possibly achieve more? The conditions seem right for a success story. Born and raised on the US East Coast (Pennsylvania, Delaware) Matthew Ryan moved into the East Nashville indie scene in the mid-90s. His first, promising albums May Day (97) and East Autumn Grin (2000) were released by a major label (A&M) before the record industry’s situation changed drastically. Until 2010 Ryan released seven albums, some of them by himself, among them very well-received records like Concussion (2001), Regret Over The Wires (2003) and Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State (2008). Disillusioned by unsatisfactory sales, Ryan announced that his 2012 album In The Dusk Of Everything would be his last. He left Nashville for East Pennsylvania. As luck would have it, there he met and became friends with Brian Fallon, frontman of folk/punk/indie rockband Gaslight Anthem. Soon thereafter, they started collaborating creatively. Fallon booked Ryan to open the Gaslight Anthem tour and was happy to play guitar with him. But Ryan got inspired and started dreaming of more. In 2014 he released the terrific Boxers on Blue Rose, an album harking back to his May Day days. Produced by Kevin Salem (Dumptruck, Todd Thibaud, Freedy Johnston, Giant Sand) and featuring Salem and Fallon on electric guitars, Ryan rocked his way back into the hearts of everyone who doesn’t consider Bruce Springsteen and the Replacements, Leonard Cohen and The Jam, or Bob Dylan and The Clash mutually exclusive but drawing from the same well where rock’n’roll and the singer-songwriter spirit meet. For Hustle Up Starlings Ryan was able to fulfill his dream and focus solely on writing and singing while Brian Fallon was responsible for production, sound, arrangements and all guitar parts. He also recruited the straight-shooting rhythm section of Ryan’s longtime bass player Brian Bequette and drummer Brad Pemberton (Ryan Adams, Steve Earle). They booked seven days in the studio of guitarist/engineer Doug Lancio (John Hiatt, Todd Snider, Patty Griffin) who played on most major Ryan albums himself. The sessions went smoothly, within five days the bulk of the album was recorded in first takes. A few overdubs provided the icing on the cake: more Fallon guitars, some Ryan and Lancio parts and David Henry’s atmospheric strings. Still, the album is straight ahead without veering from its direct path and lessening its impact. The opener “(I Just Died) Like An Aviator” is brash, slightly melancholic 3-minute rock’n’roll with wavy guitar sounds and Matthew Ryan’s brutally hoarse vocals, a stylistic element that characterizes every song on the album. The acoustic folk rocker “Battle Born” is followed by the title track. “Hustle Up Starlings” is a spooky slow motion ballad with whirly guitar patterns and sensitive vocals – a major statement. “Close Your Eyes” is one of the few straight rockers with transparent guitars and a stoic bass & drums foundation built around a single riff. Bassist Brian Bequette intones “Maybe I’ll Disappear” quietly on piano while some brooding, menacing sounds are looming in the background and Matthew Ryan convincingly sings his desperate lyrics about loneliness and losing a relationship that was never perfect to begin with – another red herring connecting most of the album’s songs. The mighty “A Delicate Waltz” opens the record’s second half, starting with a throaty whisper and escalating into a vibrating midtempo rocker with nervous electric guitars and an irresistible chorus. The slow motion rocker “Run Rabbit Run” moves into hymn-like Snow Patrol/Coldplay territory while “Bastard” may be the year’s meanest hate/love/breakup song. “All I Wanted” is an impressive lost love number in an all-acoustic arrangement with David Henry’s unobtrusive strings – “all I wanted was one more chance before closing time”, he sings in nightmarish repetition. But because no album should end this desperate there’s “Summer Never Ends”, a typical Matthew Ryan electric rocker with glorious dynamics, a hymn-like chorus and swirling guitars over a powerful backbeat. It’s one of those album closers that keeps lingering. Exactly twenty years after his debut May Day, Matthew Ryan is in stunning shape on Hustle Up Starlings with possibly the strongest, most succinct lyrics of his career, conceptual, sophisticated songwriting and a vibrant, rocking, fitting production by the Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon. His goal to make his anniversary album not a retrospective endeavor but an up-to-date record has been fully achieved! Artist Matthew Ryan Genre Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo , Americana / Country Label Blue Rose Buying Options 1LP Format 1LP Condition New Country UK Track Listings 1. (I Just Died) Like An Aviator 03:18 2. Battle Born 02:54 3. Hustle Up Starlings 04:50 4. Close Your Eyes 03:19 5. Maybe I'll Disappear 04:33 6. It's A Delicate Waltz 03:53 7. Run Rabbit Run 04:20 8. Bastard 03:49 9. All I Wanted 04:05 10. Summer Never Ends 04:11 Share this On Facebook On Twitter Via Email More from Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo View Product Quick View Markus Reuter & Stefano Castagna Sea of Hopeless Angels Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Unsung Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 22nd December 2023 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Markus Reuter & Stefano Castagna Sea of Hopeless Angels £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Unsung Records SKU: UR022LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 22nd December 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Biters The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Earache | 1LP Released 19th May 2017 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Biters The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Earache SKU: 0817195020429 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th May 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Broughtons Rules Anechoic Horizon Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Relapse | 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 10th November 2014 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Broughtons Rules Anechoic Horizon £20.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Relapse SKU: RR72761 Formats: 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 10th November 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Howe Gelb Gathered Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Fire Records | 1LP Released 8th March 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Howe Gelb Gathered £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Fire Records SKU: FIRELP548 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 8th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Give It Back! Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | A Recordings | 180g, 2LP Released 18th October 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Give It Back! £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: A Recordings SKU: AUK006LP Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 18th October 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Grant Hart Oeuvrevue Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Bang! | 1LP Released 10th June 2016 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Grant Hart Oeuvrevue £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Bang! SKU: BANGLP101 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 10th June 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Bully Feels Like Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Columbia | 1LP Released 18th June 2015 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bully Feels Like £18.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Columbia SKU: 88875075121 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 18th June 2015 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Surfing Magazines, The The Surfing Magazines Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Moshi Moshi | 1LP Released 1st September 2017 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Surfing Magazines, The The Surfing Magazines £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Moshi Moshi SKU: MOSHILP79 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 1st September 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Crass Ten Notes On A Summers Day Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | One Little Independent | 1LP Released 30th August 2019 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Crass Ten Notes On A Summers Day £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: One Little Independent SKU: CatNo6R Formats: 1LP Released Date: 30th August 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Blue Dolphin Robert’s Lafitte Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Post Present Medium | 1LP Released 29th September 2023 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Blue Dolphin Robert’s Lafitte £21.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Post Present Medium SKU: PPM089LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 29th September 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more in Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Start again
View Product Quick View Markus Reuter & Stefano Castagna Sea of Hopeless Angels Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Unsung Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 22nd December 2023 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Markus Reuter & Stefano Castagna Sea of Hopeless Angels £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Unsung Records SKU: UR022LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 22nd December 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Biters The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Earache | 1LP Released 19th May 2017 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Biters The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Earache SKU: 0817195020429 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th May 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Broughtons Rules Anechoic Horizon Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Relapse | 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 10th November 2014 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Broughtons Rules Anechoic Horizon £20.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Relapse SKU: RR72761 Formats: 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 10th November 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Howe Gelb Gathered Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Fire Records | 1LP Released 8th March 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Howe Gelb Gathered £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Fire Records SKU: FIRELP548 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 8th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Give It Back! Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | A Recordings | 180g, 2LP Released 18th October 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Give It Back! £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: A Recordings SKU: AUK006LP Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 18th October 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Grant Hart Oeuvrevue Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Bang! | 1LP Released 10th June 2016 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Grant Hart Oeuvrevue £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Bang! SKU: BANGLP101 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 10th June 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Bully Feels Like Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Columbia | 1LP Released 18th June 2015 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bully Feels Like £18.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Columbia SKU: 88875075121 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 18th June 2015 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Surfing Magazines, The The Surfing Magazines Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Moshi Moshi | 1LP Released 1st September 2017 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Surfing Magazines, The The Surfing Magazines £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Moshi Moshi SKU: MOSHILP79 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 1st September 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Crass Ten Notes On A Summers Day Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | One Little Independent | 1LP Released 30th August 2019 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Crass Ten Notes On A Summers Day £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: One Little Independent SKU: CatNo6R Formats: 1LP Released Date: 30th August 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Blue Dolphin Robert’s Lafitte Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Post Present Medium | 1LP Released 29th September 2023 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Blue Dolphin Robert’s Lafitte £21.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Post Present Medium SKU: PPM089LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 29th September 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders