Joey Ryan is a Berkeley-educated singer/songwriter who is poised to release a new EP of modern folk-based music. The record, Kenter Canyon, was independently financed and will be available on January 19th on a pay-what-you-will basis.
What's remarkable about Kenter Canyon is not the way it was paid for or the distribution method rather it is the songs themselves. Ryan demonstrates a maturity and a craftsman-like songwriting talent that one wouldn't expect out of a young musician.
The EP kicks off with singer Sara Bareilles joining Ryan on the Josh Ritter-esque "Broken Headlights". Bareilles isn't the only guest musician who contributes. Gillian Welch's long-time partner Dave Rawlings pitches in on "Queen Jane", a track unsurprisingly built on a solid roots foundation, but given an ornate dressing in the arrangement. Z Berg (The Like) provides backing vocals on "Permanent", a song that is painful, in a good way.
However, Ryan proves that he doesn't need the novelty of guest musicians to succeed. "Walls Come Down" boasts a lush arrangement that feeds an arty guitar excursion, culminating in a magnificent crescendo. Toning things down, Ryan provides the beautifully melodic "Tipperary" (yes, it is a long long way).
Often the measure of a good EP is that is leaves you with the feeling that it ended way too soon, leaving you wanting more. If that is the case then there is no question that Joey Ryan succeeded with Kenter Canyon.
You can listen to "Broken Headlights" here:
Best tracks: "Broken Headlights", "Permanent"
Track listing for Kenter Canyon:
- Broken Headlights
- Walls Come Down
- Queen Jane
- Tipperary
- Permanent
Joey Ryan's Myspace
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