Ryan Scott: Five OClock News

Ryan Scott
Five O'Clock News
Crystal Top Music
2006-10-03

Slow, soulful and somewhat bittersweet, Ryan Scott’s first effort is the lovable title track that sounds a bit like The Twilight Singers, John Mayer and Elliott Smith. However, Scott moves out of that slow style for a slightly faster, jazzier “You Might Change Your Mind” that is odd but effective. Scott runs the genre gamut though, with “Later” being a throwback to early ‘70s soul with the wah-wah guitar accents and haunting harmonies off in the distance. But by the fourth song, you’re not sure if Scott has lost the plot or the listener has. “Love Thy Neighbor (Hell Is Here)” is a mid-tempo, sagging and wordy sort of song that never quite lives up to its potential. The most Mayer-esque moment comes during “You, Girl” which Scott seems to nail out of the park with his strong vocals. Throughout it all, Scott rarely builds on the momentum of one song into another, with “Why I Cry” being a rather sad attempt at orchestral soul. Scott seems to have lost the plot with “Kill Another Day” that sounds like a cross between Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz.

RATING 5 / 10