Customer Reviews

Strays Don't Sleep

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard are two exceptionally talented yet criminally overlooked artists from the songwriting mecca of Nashville. Jointly, they are Strays Don't Sleep, and they have combined their skills to create a beautiful, brooding, soulful, late-night pop record - the sort best experienced alone, in the dark, with headphones on.

Ryan and Hubbard are both Americana/alt.country style singer-songwriters, and both cover similar emotional territory in their solo careers, but in terms of execution their differences are like night and day. Where Matthew Ryan's vocals are dark, gritty, visceral, Neilson Hubbard's are lighter and more open in tone and are delivered with a haunting sincerity reminiscent of the Jayhawks frontman Gary Louris. Each takes their turn at lead-vocal with the other playing a supporting role, and when the two voices converge the effect is quite magical.

As well as great harmonizing, these songs are built around an interesting mix of acoustic & electric guitars, bass, synth, keyboard loops, and beats, and there's a deep sense of musicality and integrity to everything that's been crafted here. Though the quality is great throughout, the middle section of this CD is particularly affecting with the hushed beauty of 'Night Is Still', the chilling and evocative 'For Blue Skies' and the sad, beautiful and hopeful 'Spirit Fingers'.

Originally intented only as a side-project or experiment, Strays Don't Sleep has become something much more - a full-fledged group and an exciting creative force. Hopefully this isn't the last we hear from them.

Like this? Try>
Matthew Ryan - Regret Over The Wires
Neilson Hubbard - Why Men Fail
The Blue Nile - High
The Jayhawks - Sound Of Lies

I'm not a huge Matthew Ryan fan, but I too saw them on Conan and was very impressed with their performance. The gritty voice and the guitar harmonies are a nice compliment to one another. The two outstanding songs from this album are "Love Don't Owe You A Thing" and "Martin Luther Ave." This album would get the full five stars if it was a bit more uptempo, especially on some of the later songs.

I first heard of this group through their video microsite "The Film Den". Not only are the songs intriguing but the videos produced to accompany the music are breathtaking. After that I rushed to buy the album and it has been non-stop in my cd player. I have come to find that this cd is very relaxing and puts me in a very tranquil state. It is truly a masterful blend of styles that is sure to please any listener.

A while back I heard this band on One Tree Hill. I just had to find their CD and listen to it over and over! Their sound is so amazing and is just the band that I have been waiting to hear.

I saw them on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last night and they were amazing! I'm buying the cd right now. I thought the vocals were simple yet meaningful. I can't wait to listen to the whole album.

I have always been a huge Matthew Ryan fan, I can't seem to take his Regret Over The Wires CD out of my car. When I realized he was part of Strays Don't Sleep, I listened to their single and now I love them! The lyrics are great and the music is excellent. It's a CD you can listen straight through. I definitely recommend!!

I saw Strays Don't Sleep when they opened for Josh Rouse in NYC. Fell in love with the bands intensity and joy. I picked up this cd, and found it inconsistent but worth owning. There are a couple of standout tracks - Night is Still, Martin Luther Ave., For You Blue Skies, and Falling Asleep With You that caught my attention on the first go round. After a few listens, I found that the song Cars & History had gotten stuck in my brain, and stayed there for weeks. I truly enjoy this album and this band.

Their sound is a mix of folk rock alternative. Sometimes upbeat and rocking, others soft and crooning. Check it out.