Ryder - Get Up, Come On, Move On, I Feel Alone (Album)
I’m happy. I bought some strawberries, a bottle of Peach Iced Tea and sat down at my desk to listen to Ryder. The day having been a synthesis of screeching children (both those of literal childhood age and those who simply act it, climbing the stairs up to Retrostar like flaneletted wildebeest) and low energy vessels, this assemblance of delights was just what I needed to wash the stench of school holidays and deadlines from my hair.
Ryder are a folk-rootsy-pop four-piece that bring to mind a kind of open-air congeniality that welcomes all. From the country-esque sharp guitar sounds of opener Alibi to swoony rock-guitar and balladeering of closer Before You Know It. The band is made of four musicians who truly get each other; who work and mesh together like butter and bread.
The nucleus of the band, however, is singer Jade Myconos’ amazing vocals. She erupts with heartfelt vox that make the listener go all-a-quiver, present company included. I’m a sucker for a decent vocalist; such is my fixation with the likes of Dinah and Eartha and, with a harmonious, swaying band behind her, Jade is an idol.
But, back to the tunes before one gets too apple polishing. There’s the dark, desperate This Day. There’s the incredibly pleasant, Jewel-esque (that’s a compliment- I love Jewel) Little Games. There’s the gospel-touched, arms-waving-in-the-air Saviour (no, it’s not about who you think it may be about). There’s the dark-ish country (complete with stompbox, head-nodding beat and Western guitar sound, so much so I’m tempted to jump-a on ma horse and rahde offa inta the sunset, y’all) of You May Be Right. Shall I just say, there are ten tracks, the quality of which are astounding for local talent having only been on the scene a few years? I shall.
Having recently trawled MySpace, as I so often do, for local bands whom I can shower with fandom and repute, I was suitably disappointed at the lack of awe the music was inspiring. But I coil my mind back to the day I stumbled upon Ryder in one of said trawls, and I realize it pays to keep truckin’. Don’t settle. Ryder remain one of Melbourne’s, and my, most prized possessions.
