Audrey Ryan
Passing Thru
© 2004 Audrey Ryan (747728924521)
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Original alt. jazz/rock with folk/pop tendencies. Singer-songwriter with illusive songs of nostalgia, coffee, speeding tickets, winter, talking in bars, alienation. Music lyrical, eclectic, melodic, and inovative. (Think Wilco, Stereolab, Joni Mitchell).
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Audrey Ryan performs original alternative jazz/rock. Her music is lyrical, eclectic, innovative, and has been described as "genre-bending" and "multi-genred" by many. Tunes vary from a latin beat to a jazz groove, a folk song to a funky rock diddy. Jazz is the most common influence for Audrey and the musicians in her band instrumentally (anything from Miles Davis to Medeski) and the 7th chords are what sets them apart from your regular rock and folk bands. It adds complexity to the tunes in trying to balance song structure and improvisation. But really you have jazz musicians playing a singer-songwriter's music and in the end it comes out more pop than jazz. Audrey's favorite modern bands are Radiohead, Wilco, and Stereolab. "I grew up on Guns-N-Roses while my parents listened to Dylan, Cash, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchel. And somehow this all makes it into the sound."
The title track, "Passing Thru," is a haunting, bittersweet melody fueled by forlorn fiddles, dreamy vibes, and reflections on transience: "But why's it keep on ending? You know I'm tired of making all these new friends." The cheeky "Slick Chick Sly Fly" uses funky guitar riffs and driving drum rolls to wax poetic about summers in local bars; lyrics like "No you don't need just one more drink or you might go home with another creep" are delivered with a wink. "Run" daringly combines nursery rhymes with activism, punctuated with barrages of skittish instrumentation--yet somehow the blend is seamless. The momentum continues with the energetic jazz romp "Espresso Bean," which embarks on "curves and bends you know by heart and yes, the speed limit is much to slow" and leads to a speeding ticket blamed on too much caffeine.
Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Audrey Ryan's musical trip began with violin lessons at age 7, an introduction to guitar at 10, and songwriting that started in middle school. She studied at the Sydney Conservatory of Music, challenging herself to take an improvisational approach to composing. In addition to teaching violin, guitar, and music theory, she's traveled throughout Africa and Asia, where her songwriting continued to evolve. Ryan cut her teeth in jazz, bluegrass, and experimental bands throughout New England and now performs nationwide. She plays with her Cambridge-based band live and on the new album, Passing Thru. A string of tour dates in support of the album are planned for this summer and fall.
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Love this!
author: Collected SoundsThe music, I would classify, as jazzy pop. It has a carefree, uplifting sound. Ryan's voice is simple yet skillful. The melodies have some very unexpected notes (as well as rhythms) and she hits 'em every time…not an easy task. This is a perfect lazy Sunday afternoon CD. [see site for full review]
Ryan is an intriguing new singer...
author: Boston Globe (Steve Morse)"Ryan is an intriguing new singer. She is a jazz-pop artist whose influences would appear to range from Joni Mitchell to Edie Brickell. And she has a high-pitched voice with original phrasing and backup that includes her own impressively syncopated work on electric, acoustic, and classical guitars, as well as her standout violin lines, which lift a song when you least expect it. Ryan has a literary sensibility, writing about the isolation of the computer age, overbearing friends, and the nostalgia of childhood . Most of all the melodies glisten at their best. This is a subtly effective album. Let's hope we hear more from her..." (excerpt from full review)
The true thing...
author: DreeaA mix between the Sundays, Joni on her reflective days (which is basically always), and a little bit of Jewel (when she was amazing, before she sold out). Every song is a poem, every verse makes you feel like you're walking down the street in spring under pink trees, eating ice cream that never gets you fat, a lullaby with every step. This is a wonderful album, in a sea of wanna bee's....she's the true thing.
Audrey Ryan comes thru
author: Craig Idlebrook (Bar Harbor Times)"The musical style is a mix of pop sensibility with a good dose of jazz thrown in. Ms. Ryan's singing style has the sweet touch of melancholy female vocalists from such bands as the Sundays and SixPence None the Richer, but with a tendency for skat and improvisation..." (exerpt from a full article)
I cant stop listening to this CD!
author: kim richardsAudrey Ryan is a new aged version of Joni Mitchell. Her voice is hauntingly smooth and pure. Her rhythms are funky and different. Her lyrics are exceptional. She brings a style to her music that is original and draws in all age groups.
Can't really put it in a category.... and that's good!
author: Cerbral Cortex PublishingThis cd seems to branch out into so many different genres from one central point that it really makes it difficult to describe. As much as the word 'fusion' is abused and is used to describe good music that sounds bad, this cd is truely fusion AND it sounds good. Jazz band, pop band, folk band, jam band, call it what you want, but you still won't be able to aptly describe it with one word.
Cocteau Twins as a jam band!
author: Denis HowardI read the lyrics to this CD about a week or so before I actually heard the music (a story all in itself). I had broken up with my girlfriend of four years earlier in the week and many of the songs actually spoke to that feeling of alienation and needing to move on. When I actually heard the music, I discovered that Audrey's voice is reminiscent of the Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, or the Sundays (which, in the wrong hands, can get tedious). However, when you add the jam-band feel of the backup musicians, Audrey's tunes become something wholly different and linger in the memory after ejecting the CD from your player. This former video store clerk from DownEast Maine has created quite a collection of diverse songs that evoke cinematic images of female bonding and wistful nostalgia.
Eclectic Mix of Folk, Jazz, Rock, Space and Bosa Nova
author: Martin GoldbergThe song lyrics are sure to make this band the next critic darlings.Combine intelligent lyrics with excellent musicianship,catchy hooks,and a sense of humor I think this CD is a refreshing alternitive to the prefab muzak pumped out by the robots known as record executives.
This album is wonderful!!! It saved me through my bad breakup!!
author: Laura AndolinoPassing Thru is one of those amazing albums that I keep in or near my CD player all the time. I'm done with most CDs within a few days, but when I got this one I couldn't take it out for at least a week, and that was only so my roomate could do her Spanish lesson on CD. There have been a few albums along the way that have stuck with me because they fit in just right to certain moments. Passing Thru is definitely one of those timeless albums; it saved me during my breakup with my late boyfriend of 6 years!!! It was a horrible time but the music became the soundtrack to my recovery, hitting home with some sadness here and there, but overall giving me strength and getting me back on my feet. It doesn't make me think of him so much now either, but more about how happy I am to be free from that situation. I can't really describe it any better than that... maybe its something to do with the sexy drums that are all in the music...I don't know...It just makes me smile and feel strong and beautiful and good about myself as a woman! Crank it up and sing along!!!
This young gal and her group have found a fresh, exciting new music blend.
author: John DempseyNeat variety from one song to the next... all mellow and memorable... in fact some come back in my head as they seem to fit some mood or happening during my day.
totally sweet
author: hot ron scorcherthis cd is totally sweet. if you like popping huge boners than you will love this cd a lot. i have this cd and i listen to it when i am in the mood for some nice melodic rock music that makes me feel all smooth and serene all over. it has a great range of instruments on it, vibes, guitars, drums, synthesizer, organ, theremin. you name it, it's on there. girls will probably really like to listen to this really loud in their cars with like 3 other girls while they are going somewhere for the weekend. i can imagine a scene like that in a movie with this music playing. it's good. it would be a good scene. ok i have to go, but you should buy this cd if you like to wear your hair long and listen to rock and roll and drive fast on the freeway with your girlfriends. ok good bye.
Passing Thru is a lyrical album with unique, multi-faceted sound...
author: Ellsworth American (Deb Cad)“[Passing Thru] is a lyrical album with unique, multi-faceted sound that’s hard to pin down in a good way. The funky, laid-back grooves of Passing Thru are laced with Ryan’s sweet but mellow harmonies and her honest, raw and cynical lyrics..." [exerpt from a full article and review of the record]
Introspective lyrics, jazzy/retro-esque progressions, and angular riffs that cra
author: Shut Eye RecordsIntrospective lyrics, jazzy/retro-esque progressions, and angular riffs that craft an infectious brand of eclectic tunes. This is they type of music that could definitely cause a big stir on the college radio airwaves and earn some well-deserved attention.