Matt Suggs

After doing four albums as half of the indie pop duo Butterglory in the '90s, Matt Suggs made an impressive solo debut with Golden Days Before They End in 2000. Suggs' wry, laconic delivery is quite reminiscent of that of the Kinks' Ray Davies, as are his melodic and quirky tunes. He's not a total Davies knockoff, though, with more of an American roots feel to his work, as well as a more oblique lyricism that makes clever use of spooky images and turns of phrase. ~ Richie Unterberger