DRH in Marist College paper, 2003

CD REVIEW: David Ryan Harris breaks onto pop-rock scene

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- In the last year-and-a-half, the sonic landscape has been overrun by fresh-faced American Eagle ad's armed, like an of army of pop-rock terminators, with acoustic guitars and sly, "trust me" smiles. The likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, and a host of others whose names don't necessarily begin with the letter "J" have made it nearly impossible to turn on MTV or pick up a copy of Rolling Stone without being force-fed a sticky-sweet brand of Dylan-esque bubble-gum wads that don't even muster enough conviction or talent to pass for Stealers Wheel, let alone Mr. Freewheelin'.

Enter David Ryan Harris, a college drop-out from Atlanta who, on paper, appears to be just another [expletive] with a guitar. The biggest difference (and there are many) between Harris and his contemporaries is a genuine gift for singing. Harris employs a soul-stirring mix of Lenny Kravitz grit and Stevie Wonder grace, a credit to both his own vocal ability and his sophisticated sonic palate (Harris paid homage to both Radiohead and Prince during the course of his performance at the Nelly Goletti Theater Sept. 6).

Lyrically, Harris finds himself mulling over the lessons learned from past relationships, rather than pining for the girl lost in the process ("Strong Enough", "Do What You Want", "Turn Around"). When not contemplating the fairer sex, Harris takes care to maintain a social awareness, if only for a song or two. With "Dickin' Around", a Stevie Ray Vaughn-influenced ramble denoting society's tendency to ignore its problems rather than confront them, Harris brandished his guitar like a seasoned pro, going as far to pay homage to the Voodoo Child himself with a behind-the-head solo.

Though not exactly a rarity in today's pop community, Harris separates himself from the pack in a number of ways, not the least of which is a distinct R&B approach to a genre of music that, until now, has been rooted almost entirely in alt-country and mainstream rock n' roll. Only time time will tell if his unique approach will pay off.


***Thanks to Furious Rose for submitting this interview.