Take Us to the Start

Released in 2009 on Atlantic Records, Take Us to the Start serves as the major-label debut for Matt Hires, following his transition from the Florida band Brighter. The album was primarily produced by Eric Rosse, known for his work with Sara Bareilles, which explains the record's sophisticated melodic sensibility and polished sonic finish. A central component of the album's identity is Hires' use of a 1977 handmade acoustic guitar, which provides a woody, resonant foundation for the tracks. The songwriting process marked a significant evolution for Hires, moving from solo bedroom composition to high-profile collaborations with writers like Harry Shannon and Sara Bareilles (who co-wrote 'You in the End'). Critically, the album was praised for its 'enveloping, gravelly tenor' and its ability to balance brisk pop-rock energy with slower, contemplative semi-ballads. It achieved notable commercial success for a digital-first release, peaking in the iTunes Top 10 and debuting at No. 96 on the Billboard 200.