Though I spent many years as a card-carrying Jonah Matranga fan, these days a new album gives me the fear. I guess it’s inevitable that there are only so many albums a person can record before you begin to drift away from them. But with Matranga’s most recent band, Gratitude, and the last onelinedrawing (his previous solo moniker) album, The Volunteers, there was no drift, I just didn’t like them.

And so, I thought that was it. Jonah and I had parted and we’d just have to move on. Then this comes through my door, the first officially-release solo album under Matranga’s own name. An album of country-ish songs, with And he has once again captured what has always made him a great songwriter, whether screaming or singing softly - the ability to be effortlessly moving.

On the album’s opening song, he manages to say very little other than goodbye and still import it with heartfelt sentiment all the way. I Want You To Be My Witness and the fantastically (and inaccurately) titled Not About A Girl Or A Place are prime examples of classic Matranga choruses that will rattle around your skull forever. You Always Said You Hated San Francisco harks back to early onelinedrawing songs with its intimate feel and brilliant lyrics.

Whether you’re a returning fan like me, or one who never went away, I’m sure you’ll agree that this is Jonah Matranga’s best work in years. Truly an album to be cherished.

Label: Xtra Mile
Website: www.jonahmatranga.com
Release date: 17th September 2007

Tracklist:

1. So Long
2. Get It Right
3. I Want You To Be My Witness
4. Every Mistake
5. I Can’t Read Yr Mind
6. You Always Said You Hated San Francisco
7. Waving Or Drowning
8. Not About A Girl Or A Place
9. Fathers And Daughters
10. Lost, Then Found