Track Listing

1. Cold December
2. Astair
3. Sweet Thursday
4. Sunshine
5. These Arms
6. Ballad of Miss Kate
7. Sweet Rose
8. Songs We Sing
9. Yellow Taxi
10. I Tried
11. Behind the Moon
12. Oh Dear
13. Wash Away

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7300 in Music
• Brand: Dig
• Released on: 2006-03-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .18 pounds

Amazon.com
Sincere but not too sincere, cute but not gorgeous, and smart enough to know to steal from the very best, former skateboard pro Matt Costa signed to surfer Jack Johnson's label on the strengths of some very workman-like pop songs and a smooth, appealing voice. Goldilockses of the world are bound to find Costa's unassuming songs just right--and if his work fails to find its way onto the soundtracks of all the hottest television shows, there is little justice in the world. Costa may croon that "These are the songs that I sing/To make the day better," but these really aren't songs so much as they're rock & roll equations. The dude combines the anglophilic sonority of Belle & Sebastian and Donovan with a taste of Elliott Smith's gorgeous downer vibe, heaping doses of the Beatles thrown in throughout. It's pleasantly chiming enough stuff to be sure: it'll just be far more interesting to see what happens once Costa has worked his way through his influences. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Not a surfing musician - a skateboarding one
This album is almost the same as the earlier, independent release, with a few different songs. Somehow, it's even better. Although "Whiskey and Wine" is missed, the album has better flow and quality throughout. Costa has a diverse style that is interlaces with adolescent optimism and energy - and that's adolescent in the best of ways - when every new experience was still exciting.

Best album I bought last year
I bought dozens and dozens of CDs last year and Costa's Songs We Sing was my favorite acquisition. If you're enjoying that trendy, troubadour sound of barefoot, pensive guys strumming their accoustic guitars to licks that hook you, this is as upbeat, clear, and good-mood-provoking as they come. A friend and peer of Jack Johnson's, Costa is coming into his own a bit less produced (very welcome, indeed!). His melodies stick with you. I'm looking forward to more great stuff from Costa.

# 1 Costa fan in Vegas
I happened upon Cold December and bought Songs We Sing. I can't stop listening to it! I love (and know by heart) every song. All my friends are getting this album for Christmas, and I think I want to marry Matt Costa ;)

I would try to compare to other groups/artists - but really it is too original (unlike the vibe you get from the Amazon review) and this album deserves an objective listen - just get it!