Singer channels his love of '80s music

Matt Nathanson loves the '80s. Not in the snarky VH1 manner — the singer-songwriter sincerely loves the Reagan years due to its sonic output.

"The '80s were (expletive) awesome," Nathanson said while calling from Atlantic City. "You go back and listen to the records that were made back then and you're blown away. You listen to the music and the production and it was just amazing."

"Modern Love," Nathanson's latest album, is a tip of the cap to David Bowie's 1983 hit single.

"I'm not hiding that at all," Nathanson said. "That Bowie record has drums that sound great. 'Modern Love,' the song is great. That production was huge and you just don't hear songs like that much today."

Well, Nathanson's "Modern Love" is a big sounding disc with a number of catchy tunes. The latest single "Run" features a duet with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.

"That was super organic," Nathanson said. "We did that song in two days. What I love about Jennifer and (Sugarland's) Christian (Bush) is that I can bounce things off of them. They have a great musical sensibility. I loved doing 'Run.' "

When Nathanson previewed "Run" and the rest of the tracks from "Modern Love" last March at Austin's South By Southwest music conference, fans reacted enthusiastically, particularly at a Vanguard Records party, which Nathanson headlined.

"That show in particular was awesome," Nathanson said. "Bodies were smashing into other bodies while I was singing these songs. It was a blast. I always want more of that."

For some reason, Nathanson, who will perform Tuesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, is lumped into the contemporary singer-songwriter heap, which also houses the likes of John Mayer and Edwin McCain.

"I don't know why that is," Nathanson said. "I don't think I have much in common with them. I have nothing against them but I never listened to what they have done."

Nathanson is not a big fan of popular contemporary music. "I heard Lady Gaga's 'You And I' and to me it sounds like Shania Twain or something from 'Streets of Fire,' that film with Diane Lane," Nathanson said. "I don't get it. She's talented as far as spectacle goes but I don't get it musically."

Nathanson, who was tuned into hair-metal, while coming of age in Northern California during the '80s, now immerses himself in alt-rock from a generation ago.

"I just bought the vinyl of Tears for Fears 'The Hurting' and 'Songs From The Big Chair,' Nathanson said. "I love the massive production but I also love rock. I remember seeing Pearl Jam during the 'Ten' tour (in 1992) and it just blew my face off. I want big production and I would love to blow my fans faces off."