The warm, breezy pop of Tampa native Matt Hires isn't just something to hum along to on your way to the beach. Hires's debut album, Take Us To The Start (F-Stop/Atlantic), is cleverly-crafted and interesting, full of sincerity and catchy melodies highlighted by his enveloping, gravelly tenor.
The album's single, "Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song," begins quietly then bursts into the chorus as Hires begs his lady not to run away, to listen to his words (as they come out wrong). It's sweeping and expressive, but — as cute as Hires is — watching the completely unrelated music video kinda warps the experience. (Check it out after the jump.)
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2009.