(MERCURY RECORDS)
In a strikingly lovelorn, Longview-ish way, this single from Ryan is one of his strongest - yet most sensitive - rock anthems so far. Not to be confused with Bryan Adams, Ryan's music does bear something in common with the stuff that that Canadian songwriter comes up with, for both Adams' idea of a good old rock tune is buoyed heartily by a damn catchy riff of the 'pop' variety.
As the 'So Alive' chorus crusades, Ryan and his fab backing band wield a shimmering pop-rock sound that stadium-fillers U2 would be eternally proud of, as Jon Flaugher's bass-line throbs and Ryan's coolly wailing, high-pitched voice mimics Jeff Buckley's at its best.
B-side 'Ah, Life' could have you think that Ryan is Tim Booth's long-lost brother given the similarity in their singing voices, while the musical style of this track is imbued more with a Country/ Swing feel, before 'Don't Even Know Her Name' ('For every day of sun I get a month of rain') rattles forth with a wicked Rockabilly beat, courtesy of the band's drummer Johnny T. The latter b-side almost catches Ryan letting out a 'Yeeee-ha!,' but he suddenly seems to think better of it, though there would nothing dishonourable if he did let one slip and he was subsequently compared to Billie Ray Cyrus. Nothing at all.
Ryan, for those who don't know but might just care, is from North Carolina, having been brought into this world circa 1974. Also, his press release matter-of-factly states that 'he loves most everybody and does not want to start anymore trouble, plus he loves cats,' as if that final revelatory nugget has anything to do with his music whatsoever.
In promotion of 'So Alive,' Ryan is back in the UK for a short-but-sweet tour, so catch him if you can y'all�
(Steve Rudd)
Release Date: January 19th 2004.
www.ryan-adams.com
www.losthighwayrecords.com