Album Review: Ryan Thomas Becker's Neighborhoof

by Andy Odom

Published:

November 20, 2009

Ryan Thomas Becker's scope is pretty impressive. The guy plays in at least 4 acts, including being solo artist, and seems omnipresent as a supporting musician. Not only is his band roster status impressive, but he's been a part of 4 separate album releases this year with those various acts. Why not, since he apparently never sleeps! This time, though, Ryan stands alone with Neighborhoof, his first solo album in four years.

Neighborhoof isn't as accidental or impromptu sounding as his previous solo effort, Uncomfortable Index Fingers. After the straight-up rollicking opener, "Seek Fire, Anime Kids", the album settles down to calmer fare. Songs like "Where Your Father Didn't Go" and "Premaries" are precious sing-alongs, while "Whistle" is an old-fashioned blues. Elsewhere, Ryan's knack for instantly familiar melodies appears on the urgent "Finger Trace", the far too short "Boys, Girls, Pills", and album closer "So Speak".

But this certainly isn't a pop record; Becker still leaves the ends untied at times. The ramshackle drum beats, random loops, haunted background vocals, and odd noises fly in and out over the course of the record, showing flashes of Becker's earlier release. But this isn't a case of difficult music for the sake of making difficult music, which is too often the case these days. Becker remains grounded and approachable; his natural charms still steal the spotlight.