"Hooking up with Dawson at Bryan Adams' Warehouse Studio, Patershuk surrounded himself with such heavy players as drummer Jay Bellerose (sideman for T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, Joe Henry, and Robert Plant), John Reischman (mandolin), Ana Egge (vocals), Chris Gestrin (keyboards), and bassist Jeremy Holmes. The results speak for themselves."
 

"For several years Matt Patershuk has been among an expanding generation of Canadians making some of the best in contemporary roots music."

"A wide and successful combination of styles echoes a particularly high instrumental skill."

"Among the best of contemporary roots/Canadian artists."

"A serious craftsman in song."

"Matt creates songs that are lodged in the memory long after the last chords have reverberated into the distance." 

"Patershuk is accompanied here by a band of seasoned session pros and they give his songs that deceptive sense of nonchalance that belies their proficiency as instrumentalists."

"A rich passage with Patershuk guiding the way."

"Latest from Alberta rancher/farmer, more bluesy, gritty country with well written songs and stories delivered in his gravelly baritone..."

"Same As I Ever Have Been is a soulful country album with warmly thoughtful and slightly off-kilter insights into life, love, heartbreak, death and all that good twangy stuff."

"One of the most fully rounded albums I’ve heard this year."

"It is the poetic imagery and truly fantastic use of language that sets this apart."

"You should listen and explore the heart of a poet."

"Steve Dawson’s production is flawless from start to finish, even managing to give an authentic ‘first take’ rawness to songs like Cheap Guitar and the effervescent Hot Knuckle Blues."

"Matt Patershuk writes country music for the thinking man, blues for the hopeful one, and soul for those who haven’t lost theirs yet. Check out his new album..."

"...The song has a kind of Tom Russell feel, it's that good."

"If you're looking for crossover material, make sure you listen to the set opener-Sometimes You've Got To Do Bad Things To Do Good a 'must hear' number worthy of a TV placement played with a wonderfully dirty riff and equally voracious sax accompaniment." 

"Every song on Same As I Ever Have Been resonates with a warm roadhouse, barn dance feel that can't be faked." 

"Here's a man who has obviously steeped himself in all manner of western roots music, with Same As I Ever Have Been, a deceptively energetic and meaningful collection of tightly-written blue collar songs performed with honesty and feeling."

'Same As I Ever Have Been' is a high quality country album with a good dose of roots that deserves great attention.