More than just an ode to patriotism, American shows listeners that the definition of American extends beyond geography or a common language. Whether it is our fierce independence, our love of freedom, or our belief that anyone can be great, Matthews shows how the American spirit is different from any other nation in the world. Depicting how we have changed since 9/11 and, in other ways found our once lost American Bravado, Matthews paints a picture of more than just a nation challenged. American is a pictureof how our essential Americanism has allowed us to rise to that challenge.