WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

Listen Xpo

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

Singer Songwriter Radio

Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
Listen Live

Scott Matthews - Passing Stranger - Universal Republic

This album has my vote for best debut album of 2007. Englishman Scott Matthews has put together a very strong, emotional set of tunes for his album Passing Stranger. He's got it all: a great voice, interesting ideas, passion to burn. There's nothing, really, not to like about this album.

His voice is gonna recall many big singers once you hear it... Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, even a little Robert Plant. His songwriting skills, however, take his vocals away from any overt "copying" of any of the aforementioned crooners. Songs like "The Fool's Fooling Himself", "Dream Song", "City Headache" and the very beautiful "Elusive" all point in the same direction - talent and heart. Even the instrumental snippets that are interspersed throughout work nicely, rather than serving as a distraction. Passing Stranger works especially well as a total album listening experience.

Scott will play World Cafe Live upstairs on September 27th.

Written by Dan Reed

Featured Album of the Week September 19 | CD of the Month for November 2007

Holy Cross, The Mahogany Stompers next up at Eric Cabonara’s Highwire Gallery series on 5/24

This month, Nada Sound Studios’ Eric Carbonara is guest curating a series of shows at Fishtown’s Highwire Gallery. Next in the...Read More

Watch Low Cut Connie perform two pop-up shows in Chicago (playing Appel Farm on 6/1 and Underground Arts on...

Local saloon-style rock band Low Cut Connie found themselves at the center of attention in a Chicago bowling alley a few weeks ago...Read More

Scottish garage rockers Paws playing a free show at Morgan’s Pier on 6/12

Scottish garage pop rockers Paws have announced a free show at Morgan’s Pier on June 12th with We Were Promised Jetpacks.  The...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: The Relatives wrap up the show with gospel harmonies (photos)

Sharply-dressed gospel-funk ensemble The Relatives wrapped up this year’s Non-COMM with a Friday night set of sweet harmonies on...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Jose James brought smooth sounds to the World Cafe Live stage (photos)

Singer and songwriter José James and his his impressive backing band brought smooth, jazzy and eclectic sounds to Non-COMM last...Read More