Ryan Lee – Always a River – Album Review | The Ark of Music – The best music in the world…you never knew existed.

Born in Janesville, WI, right down the road from our Madison, WI headquarters, singer/songwriter Ryan Lee has been described as the artistic offspring of Woody Guthrie, Tracy Chapman, Rufus Wainwright, Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens. He’s a guy who’s “been through it” so to speak, as his path has recently seen him leave behind the safety of what many artists might call the “perfect” life in order to pay homage to the spirited, adventurous part of his being, which, unbeknownst to him, had been hidden for some time.

Now, based out of the music-rich Minneapolis, MN, the dust has settled a bit for this young talent, which means really good things for you and me, as he has recorded a new album—Always A River—which documents his adventurous year.

Here’s what we dug most…

The album’s opener, Abandon, is a lovely ode to risk, and the guilt that inevitably accompanies any decision to move forward & away from those who are unable—or are not invited—to come along. Lee successfully stretches his vocal wings, and the song’s subtle instrumentation and warm lyrics accurately set a precedent for the rest of the project.

Our Favorite Track:
With A Wolf, is a simply marvelous bit of songwriting in the acoustic-folk tradition. A tale of new love told, once again, with tender, honest prose, and simple instrumentation (acoustic guitar and percussion with touches of Mandolin, piano, and vocal harmony). This has the potential to be one of those anthemic love songs…

“My love lies with a wolf at its side and I hate to see the white of its teeth
And all hearts know that their greatest foe is a keeper with a fairy-tale for a dream”

Spark is the kind of song that can only be written by someone who’s been there/done that. Tell you the truth, I believe Ryan. I believe he actually feels this way…

“I will give my voice to the breeze…spread it like the dandelion seeds
I will give my voice to the breeze…carry it a million miles, across the farthest sea

I will build a tower that can reach the sun
March us all to heaven as I beat my drum
I will build a tower that can reach the sun
Scatter me among the jellyfish when I’m done

I’m a new creation in this peaceful isolation
I have found my spark in the darkest of the dark”

With his journey of love still heavy on his mind—and still completely relatable to anyone with a pulse—Lee concludes with the album title track, Always A River, a saturating, ambient finale. With slow, deep cymbals, glockenspiel, and gentle wailing, Ryan says goodnight for now. (Bravo.)

As a whole, Lee brings great depth here as Always A River is lovely and honest, tender and simple. Rarely—that we have come across—do artists open themselves up so thoroughly, so vulnerably, in their songwriting. In doing so, Ryan Lee has given countless other artists, across many genre lines, the permission to get real and to be equally as honest. For, at the end of the day, it is in my humble opinion that it is this kind of honesty which can save not only music, but so much more.

Whose lovechild…?
A gentle blending of Typhoon and Cat Stevens, with a touch of Flaming Lips front-man Wayne Coyne.

BELOW, you can listen to Ryan Lee’s album Always A River, connect with his website and social media platforms, watch his music video, check out his live show/tour schedule, and find his booking & contact information. Please support Ryan Lee by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!