What makes Take Us to the Start by Matt Hires notable?

The album received positive critical reception, particularly for its heartfelt songwriting and catchy hooks. It helped establish Hires as a significant new voice in pop rock, leading to opportunities for tours with established acts and inclusion in various music festivals. Take Us to the Start is Matt Hires' debut album, released in 2009 after he gained attention through online platforms and local performances. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from an independent artist to a more prominent figure in the pop-rock scene, marking his first major release under a label.

How many songs are on Take Us to the Start?

Take Us to the Start has 11 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Take Us to the Start

Matt Hires · 2009

42 min · 11 tracks · pop rock

A melodic blend of introspective lyrics and upbeat pop-rock melodies that evoke the warmth of youthful nostalgia.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its inviting melody and heartfelt lyrics about connection, establishing Hires' signature style.
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State Lines — With its driving rhythm and relatable themes of longing and distance, this track showcases Hires' knack for crafting catchy yet poignant narratives.
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O Sunrise — This song features lush instrumentation and rich imagery that elevates the emotional depth of the album, capturing a sense of hope and renewal.
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You Are the One — A standout love ballad that encapsulates the album's romantic themes, combining sincere lyrics with an infectious chorus that highlights Hires' vocal strength.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, but lacks standout compositions or production that elevate it significantly.

What we noticed

Several songs utilize a verse-chorus structure with repeated hooks that emphasize the melodic elements.

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: 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song 4:09
2 State Lines 2:50
3 A Perfect Day 3:42
4 Listen to Me Now 3:01
5 You in the End 4:00
6 Turn the Page 3:54
7 O Sunrise 4:08
8 Pick Me Up 3:48
9 You Are the One 3:26
10 Out of the Dark 4:07
11 Tangled Web 4:56

What to play next

Listen next

This World Won't Last Forever, But Tonight We Can Pretend

2013

Go back to

Live from the Hotel Café

2008

Full Matt Hires discography Artists like Matt Hires

pop rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata