Ryan Bingham - American Love Song (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 2019
- 15 tracks
- 1 uur, 6 min
- red dirt
American Love SongCheapest atlunchboxrecords.com
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3.3
Average of 3 reviews
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I truly believe artists should evolve and change, and I've never been one to just want more of the same, but I must admit, there's not much I recognize on Ryan Bingham's American Love Song. Ryan's gained popularity, his shows are selling out, and on this album, his first in nearly four years, he's gotten quite loud and edgy. Along with that edginess comes a new look, more hipster chic, less Texas or New Mexico, more Nashville. Now, this album's just out, fresh off the press, and critics are all over each other, praising these lean, less bluesy, less alternative country tracks that don't go down easy, demanding your attention, yet by the end, there's not a single song stuck in your head that you remember or want to revisit. Ryan's road-weary voice is still there, that recognizable character he's developed is still present, but I'm the one feeling weary after listening to this conflicting record. I've heard people all day saying things like, "I've been a huge fan since Tomorrowland in 2012...", but Ryan was around long before that, and this album is quite complicated, leaving me excited yet put off by all the glam. Others say, "Bingham fans will appreciate American Love Song. It's a bit mellower, with some poppy melodies and piano, a continuation of his celebration of American music." But that's just not true. The whole notion of music critics is disingenuous when they say nothing, don't know what they're talking about, just supporting Bingham to sell records no one will be happy with, records no one will play after the first spin, leaving them let down and exhausted. And then there are those who hint the album is sonically different, not saying it outright, but with statements like, "It takes a few moments to adjust to what Bingham's doing now." Come on, can't anyone else see this isn't a good or comfortable album? There will be those who love this record, as it's more in line with neo-alternative country, where the genre's been redefined, and Bingham is set on gaining a place. But for those of us who've followed him for years, there's almost nothing here, suggesting he's forgotten his roots, left behind those who helped push him to the top. Personal and cultural influences make up this recording, produced by guitarist Charlie Sexton, who plays both guitars and piano. The album is supported by a handpicked group of fine Austin musicians who must have felt as bewildered playing this music as those in Nashville did years ago when Dylan's Blonde On Blonde breathed new life into the hazed 60’s… though I can assure you, American Love Song won't do that, nor do I imagine it will survive into the summer. As for the album art, I've no idea what's going on with the jacket photograph, depicting Ryan Bingham as some latter-day superfly dandy in his new high-crowned white hat, leaning on his vintage pimped out Caddy pulling a horse trailer with who knows what inside, for who knows what good reason. And therein lies the dilemma for me, I simply see no good reason for owning this record.
Ryan Bingham's album is really well pressed and it's a great listen overall.
The pressing ain't the prettiest, mine's got streaks and stuff, but it sounds fantastic. Barely any noise and the mastering's perfect. Material's top-tier for Bingham.
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