Nothing Left To Lose CD

Nothing Left To Lose, Kearney's second release, is about how the echoes of your past can guide you through what lies ahead. His refreshing, rootsy, acoustic led hip hop shines on "Undeniable," "Crashing Down," "In the Middle," and more.

Walking a fine line

When newcomer Mat Kearney’s debut album, Bullet, released in the fall of 2004, it signaled the arrival of a refreshing talent. Kearney’s blend of spoken/ rapped verses and melodic choruses built on ground laid by artists such as G. Love & Special Sauce and the curiously popular surfer-singer Jack Johnson. Bullet produced the Christian radio staple of the same name and saw Kearney tour with MuteMath, The Fray, Cary Brothers and others, as well as land a deal for the general market with ultra-smart Chicago label Aware Records (John Mayer, Train, Five For Fighting).

On Nothing Left to Lose, Kearney keeps five of Bullet’s tracks and adds another eight for good measure. Intact are the engaging and urgent rap/sung verses that expressed such personality and verve on the debut (“Undeniable,” “Girl America,” “Bullet,” Renaissance”). Also on display is Kearney’s own inner Chris Martin (Coldplay), with vocal and melodic sensibilities that come dangerously close to mimicry on a few songs (“Won’t Back Down,” “Nothing Left to Lose,” “Crashing Down”) and yet rise above cliché by sheer force of their fine execution.

Kearney is an able lyricist, painting highly personal pictures of broken-hearted people with great hope and declarations of fidelity to friends and faith. His finest lyrical gift is the ability to find evidence of divine attention all around, without being simplistic or intentionally obscure. His greatest missteps are in the aforementioned musical parroting of Coldplay on a few songs. It is with those that he loses the urgency of his earlier material and can’t quite find his own voice as he does convincingly on newer songs such as “What’s a Boy to Do” and the beautifully simple “Where We Gonna Go From Here.” Those songs deliver some of Kearney’s deftest lyrical touches as well as a musical fingerprint that is all his own.

Kearney has talent for days and, at his finest, is one of the most refreshing voices in recent years. His blending of hip-hop sensibilities with singer/songwriter melodic substance is among the finest of anyone working with those influences. He will be an exciting artist to follow, and, as he owns his strengths more completely, he may well be the one copied.

DAVE PALMER – CCMMagazine.com

Average Rating:

6 of 6 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Danielle (IL, United States), September 18, 2009

From some of the reviews I was expecting an only vaguely Christian cd, but I had heard enough songs by him to fall in love with his music. I was surprised at the messages that he brilliantly wove through his songs. Songs that convey Christian messages this beautifully with such an incredible sound should not be looked over, even though secular radio stations are claiming them as their own. I LOVE Mat Kearney's sound and the parts of his soul he carries into the music, and I think you'll enjoy this cd too. His music is a bit like a cross between Coldplay and TobyMac, however his style is so unique!

Reviewed by Jonathan Ruiz (Modesto,CA), December 22, 2007

Undeniable and Nothing left to loose are great songs..But I was actually disappointed with the album. Don't get me wrong, i love his music and uniqueness..but many of the songs afterwards sound too much the same.. What also disappointed me was the lack of spirituality..i know I wasn't expecting a christian album, but at least some God woven around here and there.. I love his music, but I was far better off just buying Undeniable, Breathe In Breath Out(the bonus track) and Nothing Left to Loose on itunes..

Reviewed by Katers (Boston, MA), February 27, 2007

I knew who Mat was before buying 'Nothing To Lose'. I had heard his radio hit "Undeniable" and really enjoyed the unique sound of the song. I knew I had to pick up the cd after hearing Mat signed to a mainstream label. I knew there had to be something there that I was missing out on. And yeah, wow, most of the songs really strike a chord. Songs like "In The Middle", "Wait" and "Can't Break Her Fall" are written with such emotion that you just find yourself listening something more than music but listening to Mat's stories. I find myself humming the chorus of different songs sometimes. It was songs like "Undeniable", "Nothing Left To Lose" and "Where Do We Go From Here" that really won me over. I saw Mat on Late Night w/ Letterman (performing "Nothing Left To Lose") and really enjoyed it. I knew I wanted to support an artist who was willing to break out of the "Christian bubble" and use his God-given talent the best he could. Some songs are hard to get around if you don't enjoy the rythmn/blue style ('American Girl' is actually a song I can't stand, which is a shame because the lyrics are very good) but I have a feeling the cd will grow on you as it did me.

Reviewed by Jesse (BC Canada), January 20, 2007

Love this cd. Mat was at yc05 in edmonton and I'm kicking myself for not going to see his show then. I went and saw TFK instead and my friend went to mat's set and came back stoked about this new "acoustic rap" style. We bought the cd (bullet) and have been hooked since.

Reviewed by DEREK (VALDEZ, ALASKA), January 02, 2007

I SAW MAT AT CREATION FEST 04 AND INSTANTLY FELL FOR THE NEW STYLE AND DEEPLY FELT LYRICS. BULLET IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. HES JUST AN AWESOME MUSICIAN AND WRITER.

Reviewed by Matt (Mt.Pleasant Michigan), October 23, 2006

This album is in one word, incredible. Every song is beautifully written and sung; a highlight being "All I Need" and "Crashing Down" all postive and brillant. No wonder someone this talented has gained mainstream recognition. Beautiful and I can hardly wait for Mat Kearney's 3rd album.

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