"There are some people on this earth with soul of a poet. Even if they don't dabble in verse, you recognize them immediately-by a sparkle in the eye, the gentleness of tone, the way they can look at the ordinary and see something extraordinary. Matthew Perryman Jones has such a soul. Following in the footsteps of Leonard Cohen and John Lennon, Jones brings his poetry to life with a rock sensibility and gritty vocals. The entire album is superb..." -Performing Songwriter He has been compared to everyone from Leonard Cohen to Counting Crows, from Jeff Buckley to John Lennon. But Matthew Perryman Jones’s spirit-carressing, tender tenor is instantly likeable on its own terms. Furthermore, his poetic musings on his Throwing Punches in the Dark collection are interwoven with a production of dazzling layers and textures. That makes this debut CD a totally breathtaking listening experience. As many times as I’ve heard Stephen Collins Foster’s 150-year-old “Hard Times” reinterpreted, this guy made me listen to it like a brand-new song. -Robert K. Oermann (Music Row Magazine) "We like most everything about Daniel Lanois' solo work-the ambient layers of space, silence and sonic swells perfectly complementing his ruminations on the spirit and the flesh-but his voice can be an acquired taste. On his debut, Throwing Punches in the Dark, local songsmith Matthew Perryman Jones comes off like Lanois in most every positive aspect, but Jones' tender tenor takes no getting used to. Jones delivers some tunes with the kind of crossover pop appeal that will finally give all those unsatisfied, Shrek soundrack-hating Counting Crows fans something to be happy about". -Jason Moon Wilkins (Nashville Rage) "One of the best new albums we've heard this year...if you love great singer/songwriters, this record will quickly become a favorite" -Eb+Flo Music "One second I feel like Im listening to Robbie Robertson or PeterGabriel, the next, Bono and Jeff Buckley are flowing from my speakers. I am totally addicted to 'Throwing Punches In The Dark' and its emotionally charged songs...This record is brilliant!" -Scott Register (WRAX 100.5 Birmingham)