Customer Reviews

Hypocrite

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am actually very upset that Ryan didn't take off like he should have. His music may be a little too macabre for today's mainstream audience, talking about killing himself over a woman who left him on one track, and on another playing a peeping tom to a young woman who entices him by putting on a show. It's amazing, and I suggest everyone taste a little of his world if you get a chance.

Ryan Downe is quite simply the most talented musical artist I have ever listened to. Nobody knows who the hell he is, but once you listen to The Hypocrite you'll be hooked. Downe is true alternative: haunting sophisticated, and rocking all at once. You NEED to have this album!

I've owned Ryan Downe's solo album THE HYPOCRITE since its release in 1996 and like other reviewers here I am appalled that this album never reached the very audience who would readily embrace Ryan's darkly humorous lyrics and sonic brilliance. I now feel I have to add my two cents and help those who would connect with THE HYPOCRITE find their way to this overlooked gem.

My introduction to Ryan Downe came through MTV when they featured the video for "Scratch." There was something about the starkness of the video, the smudged makeup on Ryan's face, combined with the passionate, androgynous singing and driven music (which reminded me of Garbage's excellent song "Vow") that left such an impression I became obsessed with the song and had to hear more. So I headed to the record store and bought THE HYPOCRITE. Fourteen years later it continues to be one of my favorite albums.

"I've been a crooked politician/A leader without vision or shame/Hung with the aristos/Found their type of deviance tame," he sings on the opener "Judas," declaring that this will be no ordinary listening experience. The music touches on elements of glam and industrial rock, featuring loud melodic guitars, muscular drumming, sinuous bass lines, touches of strings and tuneful electronic effects. Ryan's vocals may be hard to take for some -- unashamed of emotion and excess he can growl and whisper sinisterly one moment only to soar diva-like with the passion of Freddy Mercury or Prince the next -- but they are never less than genuine and should appeal to anyone open to such naked emotion in music.

THE HYPOCRITE features everything from glammed-out rock to slower, more acoustic driven numbers like the wonderful "I Shot You Down," told from the point of view of a gun-toting assassin that recalls film noir anti-heroes played by the likes of Robert Mitchum, Peter Lorre and Humphrey Bogart. In fact, there is a film noir feel to the whole album, with its tales of dames and crime and carnal obsession, from an encounter with a prostitute in the playful "Japan" to the "Red light screaming/Brownstone seething" of "Mojo." The latter part of "The Machine" sounds like something influenced by Peter Gabriel's early 80s psycho-sexual tales ("Intruder" from Gabriel's third self-titled solo album comes to mind) and "Comets and Stars" delights with surreal lyrics: "Feed me comets and stars in the evening to ease my way/Get me into a jar by squeezing then paste a label saying something."

I would give this album five stars but the one drawback for me is the song "Where Am I Gonna Run To." It's the only song I cannot stand, mainly because of the utterly self-defeating lyrics; it somehow brings the album down a notch for me and I often skip it. I realize that others really like this song but personally it seems out of place in this otherwise nearly-flawless album. Yet don't let my one quibble deter you; if anything mentioned in this review resonates please don't hesitate to buy Ryan Downe's THE HYPOCRITE. Listen and spread the word. It's that good, and then some.

I remember when I was young and the video for "Where Am I Gonna Run To?" was on VH1. I LOVED IT, but Ryan Downe never took off. Years later, I found a used copy of this album on EBay so I bought it and it brought back great memories. I wish I could find a copy of the video somewhere...

I remember the watching the video for "Scratch" on MTV back when this album was released. Something about that track made me want to hear more from Ryan Downe. Over 12 years later "The Hypocrite" is still one of my favorite albums.
No two songs sound alike. Ryan's vocals are beautiful and vary from a low growl (Scratch) to soaring, angelic screams (Comets And Stars). Though this is a rock album hints of industrial, pop and dance can be found lurking in the shadows.
For me, the true genius of "The Hypocrite" is in the lyrics. If you're looking for creative and unique then look no further. As well, his delivery has a wicked humor and wit that never feels condescending. He truly wants the listener to enjoy and understand his point of view.
My favorite lyric from "Judas":
"I've sat the vinyl seats of Hollywood and London
You know they stick just the same"
BUY THIS ALBUM!!

I remember picking up Ryan Downe's sample tape outside of a Planet Hollywood shortly after it had opened. I was instantly addicted to his music. I was in middle school at the time and wasn't much into popular music, though I pretended to be. I spent the next several years searching for the complete version of his album (finally finding it here on Amazon). I listen to his music often and frequently wish he could record another album. I really believe that he was bout 7 years or so ahead of the music industry. He would have been an exremely big hit had is album been released about 5 or 6 years later.

I can only vouch for "Where am I gonna run to", which was made into a marvelous, hilarious music video (seen on RAW TV in Sacramento) about a guy wanting/trying to commit suicide when a girl leaves him...one of my favorite songs. So, I'm ordering the album, if the rest are half as good, it will be a great album.

This record is interesting but I would like to recommend Moth Vellum, his new progressive rock band in which he sings and plays bass. Quite a great work!

Thank the Lord for creating someone who dreamed up "M.T.V's" "M2"...If not for M2 I would have never seen the hypochrist! Immediately I knew where I was going to run to...the compact disc store. Within 30 seconds of the video I thought oh my --- , I am buying this tonite. Every time this gem is injected into the ears of its recievers, it leaks through their veins and bathes the soul like the innitial teardrop of a newborn baby landing on the lips of their creator. Obviously if The hypocrite was embraced by Sir Elton John, it must be worthwhile. My musician friends are all borrowing ideas, instruments, and inspiration from Mr. D. O.k. so you want a review already...Well the proof is in the playing...How about comparable to Jeff Buckley or Joni Mitchell. Sometimes I can't tell whether I am listening to a woman or a man. Should I teach a lesson to you? Dream of taking you cross my knee..or should I take an E-mail from you...punish me for being a tease. That is however just what this gift is, a tease of that light at the end of the tunnel,the songs I want to hear crossing through the pearly gates. Check out Passion Seeds dot kom for similar listening pleasures...Keith Martin Forman of Ft. Lauderdale.