Matthew Ryan’s music is somewhere between Stephen Fretwell’s soft introspection and the pensive searching of the Frames — which is to say that it is hauntingly beautiful. The Philadelphia native sings of quiet desperation in a gentle, rasping whisper that is weary beyond his years. What sets him apart, however, is the warm intimacy of his performance; no matter what the subject matter, Ryan draws listeners in with the simple eloquence of his lyrics. In May, Ryan will begin a tour of the United States in support of his latest album, Matthew Ryan vs the Silver State. Dates in Canada and the UK will follow; a touring schedule is currently listed on Ryan’s MySpace page.