Not Colored Too Perfect

Released in 1998 on the independent Acrobat Records, Not Colored Too Perfect represents the bridge between Matt Nathanson's early, raw indie-folk beginnings and the more structured pop-rock of his later work. Coming after his debut 'Please' and the follow-up 'Ernst', this third outing leans heavily into a minimalist aesthetic. The production is notably dry and intimate, eschewing the lush arrangements that would later define his breakthrough 'Beneath These Fireworks'. Lyrically, the album is more cynical and existential than his later romantic hits, with tracks like 'Miracles' and 'All Been Said Before' exploring themes of social performance and internal collapse. It remains a fan favorite for its 'unfiltered' quality, showcasing Nathanson's signature 12-string guitar work in its most skeletal and evocative form. It serves as a vital document of the late-90s coffee-house folk scene before it was absorbed into the mainstream adult-alternative radio format.