Album Review: Joey Ryan "Morning Will Come Soon"

My first post since my return from holiday. It's taken a few days to adjust to 11 degrees ish again but I'm getting there. I know you regard that as vital information. Anyway to another album review. This time, it is Joey Ryan and his debut album "Morning Will Come Soon".

The album was released last month so I am a bit late getting to the review. The album gestated in Silverwood Studios after the culmination of two years of recording and writing. The music is described by Joey himself as dark romantic music. I can see what he is saying there.To me, the album moves between two ends of the one spectrum; slow, acoustic, melancholic folk to pacey, lively, rhythmic, americana songs. The lead single "Nothing to Show" is a good example of the latter. Backed by a great country style rhythm section with organ and lead guitar flourishes, the song has real energy to it. Filled with urgency and a sense of anger, this is a great piece of americana rock.

I imagine studying music in UCC has brushed off on the production and arrangements on this album. For a lad who is just 20 years of age, this is a mature effort. AS well as that Joey's skill with the guitar is evident on bluesy "Soaked to the Bone" and the folky "Be Near". A song like "Sleep Tonight" feels like it has been written and sung by someone mature both in years and experiences.

The other musicians on the album also deserve a mention; Johnny Boyle (drums), Aongus Ralston (bass), Clodagh Kearney(backing vocals)and Rory McCarthy (keys) add to the fullness of the sound. Tracks like "Be Near" and "This time I'm leaving town" demonstrate the excellent arrangements on the album especially with the backing vocals. One of the other lively tracks "Where are you", also offer a good example of a well arranged and honed band featuring some excellent piano.

The album may contain a few too many slow songs for my liking. The upbeat tracks like "Nothing to show" and "Where are you" build up a momentum on the album that some of the slower tracks, I think take away. If one or two tracks shorter, I think would have made a superb album. Still a quality collection of songs.

Joey is currently nearing the end of a national tour with a few dates left in Cavan this Friday, then Slane and Cork. You can check the facebook for the latest. You can buy the album on cdbaby and on Itunes.