THE FLYIN' RYAN BROTHERS - Under The Influence (CD)

American quintet The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers may sound like it, but it’s by no means a circus act. But… If you, however, would compare music to a circus The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers would be people on the trapeze, flying weightlessly back and forth through the air, doing somersaults and all types of daring tricks that makes you gasp for air. This is what their music sounds like. Instrumental, guitar-driven bluesy rock with things happening all over the place, but still so graceful and with immense beauty. Harmonies to the left and right, intense drumming from the late Johnny Mrozek and outstanding bass playing from William Kopecky. I, of course, can’t help comparing the band to Wishbone Ash. I love Wishbone Ash, but to be honest I don’t think they have ever recorded an album as consistent as Under The Influence. There are usually a couple of tracks I don’t really care for, but this one is 13 out of 13. Great melodies, really soulful and tasteful guitar playing ranging from soft melodic passages to full on bluesy shredding. Also, Wishbone Ash, besides being a vocal band, tends to become a bit too pop at times, whereas The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers always spice things up a bit. This is definitely one instrumental album where I don’t miss the vocals at all. No need for them whatsoever. The guitars more than well make up for them. The songs are well-written with great arrangements and they are anything but one-dimensional. There are lots of nice layers with things popping out here and there, like the effects in Loco Motive which just adds a subtle layer that doesn’t meddle with the great build up and trade-offs of the guitar harmony work. This is one album that I will have a hard time getting out of my CD player!
Janne Stark
Label: Grooveyard Record
Year: 2011
Country: USA
Link:  www.grooveyardrecords.com