What makes Faster by Matt Nathanson notable?

The single 'Faster' received significant radio play, solidifying Nathanson's presence in the pop-folk scene and expanding his audience beyond independent music circles. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100, which underscored his growing commercial appeal during this era. In 2011, Matt Nathanson was transitioning from his earlier works into a more polished sound with 'Faster,' marking it as a follow-up to his commercially successful album 'Some Mad Hope' released in 2007. This album captures Nathanson's growth as a songwriter and performer, showcasing his ability to weave personal narratives within catchy melodic frameworks.

How many songs are on Faster?

Faster has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

Faster

Matt Nathanson · 2011

3 min · 1 track · folk music

A heartfelt blend of folk melodies and introspective lyrics driven by an earnest vocal delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Faster — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of urgency and longing, featuring dynamic instrumentation that complements Nathanson's passionate vocal performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

40 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The song has solid writing and performance but lacks depth and uniqueness to stand out significantly.

What we noticed

The track features a steady mid-tempo rhythm with a consistent acoustic guitar strumming pattern throughout.
Vocals are layered with harmonies that build in intensity as the song progresses, creating a sense of urgency.
The structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, with the chorus being repeated multiple times for emphasis.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Significant radio play for 'Faster' expanded Nathanson's audience beyond indie circles.
Themes: personal urgency· intimate storytelling
Career context: In 2011, Matt Nathanson was transitioning from his earlier works into a more polished sound with 'Faster,' marking it as a follow-up to his commercially successful album 'Some Mad Hope' released in 2007. This album captures Nathanson's growth as a songwriter and performer, showcasing his ability to weave personal narratives within catchy melodic frameworks.
Stylistic neighbors: Gavin DeGraw· Jason Mraz· John Mayer

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Faster

The bridge introduces a moment of vulnerability where the singer confronts their fears and desires directly.

This shift in perspective reveals a deeper emotional layer, contrasting the energetic verses with introspective reflection.