Matthew Ryan’s “Then She Threw Me Like a Hand Grenade” (Song of the Day)

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I love Matthew Ryan‘s recent album Boxers (2014), which Ryan has described as sounding “like Crazy Horse meets early Replacements with nods to more recent bands I love like the National.” One of the many highlights on the album is “Then She Threw Me Like a Hand Grenade.”

The title of “Then She Threw Me Like a Hand Grenade” gives away the broken-hearted theme underlying the song. But with Ryan’s poetic lyrics, one may often find something more complex and beautiful beneath the surface: “Three fires lit a spark in me /
It took me years to understand the weight / If you’re a prisoner to anything you’re not free / Then she threw me like a hand grenade.”

In the video below, Ryan performs “Then She Threw Me Like a Hand Grenade” as part of the Yellow Couch Sessions. Check it out.

Dave Cantrell at Stereo Embers calls Boxers “Ryan’s finest work yet” and “the record that should bring the too-many that have missed it to discover this artist’s long, deep, and riveting catalog.” I agree that Boxers shows that Ryan is still at the top of his game, and hopefully it will lead listeners to explore his other albums too.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Official Video for Matthew Ryan’s “Boxers”

    Singer-songwriter Matthew Ryan has just released the official video for the title track to his upcoming album Boxers (2014). The video, directed by Gorman Bechard, displays Ryan performing “Boxers” intercut with black and white images of actress Audria Ayers. Check it out.

    Matthew Ryan’s Boxers album is available for pre-order through Bandcamp on his website and will be released October 14.

    Innocent Words describes Boxers as being for “those who have been beaten down by everyday life in a blue collar society.” Similarly, Ryan explained to ARTISTdirect, “It’s a brutal hope at a brutal intersection of our story in a world that feels on the verge of something. And that something will be what we make it or allow it to be.”

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Matthew Ryan: “Boxers”

    Boxers Ryan

    The third of October always makes me think about Matthew Ryan’s wonderful song “3rd of October.” So, I thought it would be a good time to check in and see what Mr. Ryan is up to this October. And he has a new album coming out on October 14 called Boxers.

    You may hear the title track from Boxers below.

    Another track on the album is “This One’s For You Frankie.” Check out the video with the lyrics.

    I like a lot of Ryan’s work, but I tend to gravitate toward his rock songs more than his quieter introspective songs, although many of those are quite beautiful. From the sound of “Boxers” and “This One’s For You Frankie,” as well as the cover directions saying to play the album loud, I am guessing that Boxers has the potential to emerge as one of my favorite Matthew Ryan albums.

    If you want to read more, check out a review of the album on Popdose. Or head over to Matthew Ryan’s website.

    What is your favorite Matthew Ryan song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Matthew Ryan’s “Then She Threw Me Like a Hand Grenade” (Song of the Day)
  • Official Video for Matthew Ryan’s “Boxers”
  • 3rd of October: Matthew Ryan
  • The Pines at Night (Matthew Ryan) Releases Full Album,”A Year of Novembers”
  • A “Song for a Hard Year” from The Pines at Night
  • “Life is Beautiful” With Matthew Ryan
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)