Ryan Montbleau Band: Patience On Friday

7 Comments

By: Andrew Bruss

The Ryan Montbleau Band's fourth studio release, Patience On Friday (Ryan Montbleau Music), feeds the listener a steady diet of mellow grooves, funky instrumental riffs and a bluegrass undertone that leaves your pallet with a flavor somewhere between G. Love & Special Sauce and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile. The obvious force behind the group is the twangy vocals of frontman Ryan Montbleau, but the viola licks by backup vocalist Laurence Scudder are what help Montbleau stand out as more than just "another guy with a guitar." True, Montbleau is responsible for most of the worthy songwriting, but it's the culturally cross-pollinating instrumental work - building off bluegrass playing, soulful vocals and a defining neo-surf rock sound - that makes this album stand out. Patience On Friday lacks a powerful drive in its sound, and as a result can seem a bit too patient at times, but for anyone looking for a matured mix of multiple genres, Montbleau's latest is right up your alley.

JamBase | Cambridge
Go See Live Music!

http://www.ryanmontbleauband.com/

[Published on: 12/28/07]

Take full advantage of all JamBase has to offer by signing up for an account!

You'll receive

show alerts

when your favorite artists announce shows, be eligible to enter contests for

free tickets

, gain the ability to

share your personalized live music calendar

and much more.

Comments

‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^› {¬¿¬}

Fri 12/28/2007 06:06AM

0 Votes

$‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^› {¬¿¬}$

he is a white stevie wonder. thats what this album made me think of. :)

onemanband

Fri 12/28/2007 08:28AM

0 Votes

his live shows are always a lot of fun -

saw him 7 times this year!

twain Fri 12/28/2007 12:18PM

0 Votes

funny, been seeing him since it was just him, git & mic. friends w/ peter prince (moon boot lover and staple in north east). we always called ryan the white stevie wonder and peter the white al green.

itchyphish Sat 12/29/2007 03:31PM

0 Votes

Yeah Larry. Wait to get a mention in the write-up.

Chaloupka

Tue 1/1/2008 11:48AM

0 Votes

Yeah, I've always thought his voice sounded like Stevie too!

INSPIRAL

Wed 1/2/2008 11:39AM

+2 Votes

Nobody has mentioned his lyrics?? These are by far the best lyrics I've heard in any album recently, pure insightful poetry. This is what makes him stand out ~ he has something to say and although there's nothing bad about sounding like Stevie Wonder, I'd compare him more as an artist to such greats as Paul Simon or John Lennon.

Holliday

Wed 1/9/2008 09:34PM

+1 Votes

Building off of Bluegrass?! Neo-Surf Rock?!

Sure, one song, "Eggs", may very well give you that bluegrass vibe... but, that's it.

Otherwise, labeling the genre of this band has been quite the task for even the seasoned fan. So, I can see where you'd have a hard time grasping at comparisons - but bluegrass and neo-surf rock are not good examples of this band... nor this album.

A seasoned fan, myself, I can't give you a definitive comparison...

I struggle every time I spread the word about them...

I'm struggling right now to define their sound...

I will say that they are often compared by most to Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and The Band... just to name a few.

Americana, Roots, Folk, Soul, Funk and Jam Band in one big happy musical burrito... Their live performances will MOVE you. Whether you want to move or not.

I might suggest having some patience the next time you listen to this album. A mellow vibe, yes. It's basically poetry with music. It's beautiful. Ryan's lyrics are inspiring. The musicianship of this band is amazing. They are easily my favorite band.

Also, it's the band's SECOND studio release... the previous two were solo albums of Ryan's.

This is not meant to be a negative comment, I'm just trying to help paint a better picture, for those that have never heard them. "a mature mix of multiple genres"... I did like that portion.

Go to a show. You'll see. You'll move.