The list below shows my favourite albums of all time.
Exile On Main Street – The Rolling Stones
Led Zeppelin 2 – Led Zeppelin
Hunky Dory – David Bowie
The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground
Electric Warrior – T. Rex
Unfortunately, the album I’ve reviewed this week is never going to get near the top five.
Ryan Keen was born in 1987, in Totness, and started writing and recording music whilst he was studying at University. His latest creation is his twelve track début album, ‘Room For Light’. The album comes in several formats, including limited edition vinyl, as well as MP3 and CD. The album itself is a strange object, a triple gate fold sleeve covered in images of the forest, the front cover presents a see through cube layered over a sun drenched woods (I’m sure it’s meant to be a visual metaphor for something, but it’s lost on me.)
The first track of the album is ‘Know About Me’. After the first minute of the song you get the idea. The verses are boring, and lead up slowly to a repetitive, strangely irritating chorus. Keen’s vocals are weak and are ridden with off-putting heavy breathing. Not a great start.
For the next few songs, Keen carries on much the same, ‘Skin and Bones’ is made up of the typical recipe of finger-picked chords and lyrics which are less than evocative. ‘Aiming For The Sun’ shows slight improvement however, and with dark underlying groans of double bass and a more poetic form of lyricism. However, Keen continues with his whispering vocals, leaving the listener yearning for something out of the ordinary.
‘Orelia’ is the fourth track of the so far disappointing album. This track offers much the same as the others, skilled guitar work, with long winding streams of double bass, all tainted by vocals which sound almost robotic, completely absent of passion. The song fades and so track five begins. ‘See Me Now’ enters with a wonderful echoing note of electric guitar and blends into Keen’s relaxed chords and tapping. A much more impressive song than it’s pre-cursors, but still missing something.
‘Old Scars’ is an upbeat and enjoyable song. I think the word is probably ‘nice’. Which means boring, really. Six tracks in, and still nothing has really happened.
“RYAN, PLEASE MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.”
And with that request, ‘Trouble’ begins. A fast, catchy beat, coupled with some more confident singing and intricate guitar results in a strong track, that I can’t help but like. The best track of the album without doubt.
Unfortunately, this highlight isn’t sustained, and Keen rattles through the yawn inducing ‘All This Time’ and ‘Wish You Well’.
‘Focus’ opens with a tinny vocal, which is slowly salvaged from over the top production. The track builds quickly, with impressive guitar from Keen, and a good use of strings and percussion. A strong track, one of the highlights of the album.
The final two songs are much the same as the majority of the album. Boring vocals and lyrics, layered over a repetitive instrumental.
All in all, I have genuinely struggled to review this painfully mediocre album. It’s hard to listen to, and I find myself becoming bored with almost every song with in the first two minutes of each of them. The trouble with Keen’s début is that nothing really happens, it’s repetitive, and leaves the listener bored and yearning for some excitement. A poor showing from a talented guitarist with heaps of potential.
LUKE’S RATING = 4/10
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