Customer Reviews

Roadhouse Sun

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A few months back, I heard Ryan Bingham on Austin City Limits and promptly purchased "Mescalito". I was absolutely stunned by the quality of the music on that disk. Every song on it was truly great, and I wasn't sure if Ryan Bingham would be able to match the quality of that record.

I was wrong. Not only does "Roadhouse Sun" match the quality of "Mescalito", it exceeds it in several areas. Ryan Bingham's songwriting has clearly matured, and continues to get better. Songs like "Snake Eyes" and "Rolling Highway Blues" show a new side of Ryan Bingham.

And also, his band, the Dead Horses, simply rocks harder. A listen to the opening track, "Day Is Done" surely proves that. The song starts out softly with rolling slide and electric guitars, but soon builds into a pure rock anthem with a driving beat and a wall of roaring guitars. Just as quick, it returns to the gentle tones of soft slide.

The Dead Horses have remarkable musicianship, and Marc Ford, producer of this record and guitarist for the Black Crowes, knows how to bring out the best in the band. You'll hear jingly jangly 60's style electric guitar on "Dylan's Hard Rain", and then next thing you know, Ryan Bingham and Corby Shaub are jamming on acoustic guitar and mandolin on "Tell My Mother I'll Miss Her So".

This is followed by what is in my opinion, the best song on the record: "Country Roads", which features more mandolin and acoustic, along with a driving beat, just enough electric guitar to give it definition, and Bingham's wailing harmonica.

I've only talked about four songs in this review, and it's probably already too long! Everything on "Roadhouse Sun" is terrific; I could spend all day talking about it. In my opinion, this album is one of the finest of the 21st century. You will not find this kind of music on any commercial country release, that's for sure. Buy it! You will not regret it.

Great music that defies classification. I had 'Roadhouse Sun' in the CD player in the car as I drove my friend to work, and he sat quietly for 15 or 20 minutes, a first for as long as I've known him, and we just rocked out to this great music.
If I had to label it I would say, West Texas Alt Country Rock in the great tradition of Joe Ely or Springsteen's Nebraska. He was a little late for work because he wanted to hear more music, but I bought him a copy of his own and I'll give it to him next time I give him a ride to work.

Ryan Bingham's latest offering lives up to every expectation one could possibly have for music that transcends time and space. With "Roadhouse Sun" Bingham brings to plight the feelings and frustrations of the common man. There are anthems and there are tender moments that reflect truth and commonalities we all share. Emotions run high on "Endless Ways" while "Bluebird" digs deep to the songwriters core of self reflection.

While there are bound to be comparisons with a young Steve Earle in his prime, Bingham is is own man and brings the genre of a long line of tradition full circle to its rightful place.

These are songs of redemption, reflection and celebrations of being alive in 2009.

Without a doubt a top recording of 2009. I await the next chapter in Bingham's long anticipated legacy.

In Oct 2007 I went to see the Drive-By Truckers in Cleveland, OH. The opening act was an unknown Ryan Bingham. Though I'm a big DBT fan, the lasting impression of that night was how good Bingham was on stage with his music. I purchased "Mescalito" at the concert and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. I too have been waiting for Bingham's second release with much anticipation and wondering what direction he'd go with his music. As soon as I popped in the disc I knew right away that this was going to be a special CD. Song after song after song the CD is packed with great music. There are a couple with just Ryan and his guitar that are haunting and raw and brilliant. But when he jams with The Dead Horses it takes his music to even higher levels than in "Mescalito". You can just imagine these guys sitting around making great music and having fun.

This is an exceptional album and one that needs to be heard. The stories and characters come to life. The guitars and rhythm section really set the groove for the tunes. Just great stuff. I won't get the particular songs, for they are all good. I've only listened to it once so far, but was completely blown away. Purchase this CD and support Ryan Bingham when he comes to your town by coming out to see him perform.

Bingham does it again. One of a kind music that you just have to hear over and over and over again. A great musician and even a better troubadour.

I bought the first album haveing heard of Ryan by chance and really enjoyed it. I bought this second album as a result and was prepared to be a little disappointed but I like this as much as the first and it deserves to sell a lot so go out and buy it.
It has the same qualities of good songs and excellent playing as the first but is enough different in style to be a worthwhile progression.

Both CDs are the sort you find yourself listening to again and again and I can say that about very few CDs that I have bought.

Let me preface by stating that I have NEVER listened nor liked country. I grew up in Southern California on a heavy dose of Sublime, Blink-182, Social D, you get the idea. So when I heard my friends from Texas talking about this dude, I was skeptical. Wow was I wrong. I was expecting a younger Garth Brooks or something, instead I get heavy rock with a light dose of country. This guy is absolutely amazing. The greatest part of this CD is that I cannot decipher which song is my favorite. Initially I picked 'Tell My Mother I Miss Her So', then it was 'Hey Hey Hurray'...now I would have to go with the extremely bluesy 'Wishing Well.' Point being there are so many good tracks that the CD will hold your attention for a long long while. I hope that 'Crazy Heart' gives this guy the recognition he deserves. Oh, and Mescalito is amazing too.

Roadhouse Sun is the first CD that I have heard from Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses. His music seems like an amalgamation of Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Rhett Miller, and Jackie Greene - definitely a talented group of musicians to say the least. Bingham does not have the smoothest voice, but it is not off putting either. It is like a gruffer version of Jackie Greene. The songs on Roadhouse Sun are competently played across a variety of tempos and styles. Some songs are blues rock such as "Day Is Done" and "Dylan's Hard Rain" while others are more folksy like "Tell My Mother I Miss Her So" and "Country Roads". My favorite, though, is the rockabilly tune "Hey Hey Hurray". It has the catchiest instrumentation of any of the songs, and I got more energy from this song that most of the others. While I can't point to anything that is particularly bad on Roadhouse Sun, I just never really connected with it. The sound never wowed me, nor did any of the lyrics grab me with anything compelling. I found it to be like tea at room temperature rather than either cold or hot. Of the other artists I mentioned earlier, Jackie Greene is the one that I have the most exposure to. His music grabs a hold of me in a way that doesn't let go, and it makes me want to listen to it again and again. I just could never get there with Roadhouse Sun. This may have as much to do with me as it does this CD, but that's my take. I would encourage you to listen to the samples or try to find somewhere like Bingham's site that has full songs available for preview. It might be just the thing for you, but sadly it isn't for me.

Download this: Hey Hey Hurray

Mescalito was one of my favorite albums of all time. I have been eagerly awaiting Ryan Bingham's second album pretty much since the first day I stumbled onto his wonderful music. However, I was also skeptical that he might hit the proverbial sophomore curse and it wouldn't live up to my expectations. As the critic review states, it is more political and that sort of thing, but not in a bad way. I think the political undertones are very well done, sort of like on Kristofferson's "This Old Road" album. To get down to it, I have obviously not listened to this album nearly as much as I have Mescalito, but I already love it. So far, my favorites are Snake Eyes, Tell My Mama I Miss Her So, and Dylan's Hard Rain. Snake Eyes isn't quite as stripped down, raw, and emotional as it was on his Austin City Limits special, but it's still VERY good. His voice and playing style are amazing. If you liked his first album, pick this one up. I will write an updated review in a week or two after I have listened to this album 100 times or so. (That might not be an exaggeration!)

Been waiting for this for a while, but it was worth it. Mescalito is awesome - gone thru this one once, I remain impressed - time will tell. Don't miss out on this HAPPENING! b-