Logan Ryan Band - Cigarettes and Alcohol
Country, Red Dirt, Americana
Texas, United States
Overall Impression: Wonderfully performed and lyrically captivating, "Cigarettes and Alcohol" is a brilliantly melodic piece of country writing that contains just the right amount of sonic polish without being at the expense of the song's undeniable sense of character. The Logan Ryan Band has really whipped up something special in "Cigarettes and Alcohol" and this is a fantastic example of what the country genre has to offer.
Strongest Point(s): Beginning with a wonderful sense of ambiance, courtesy of some excellent delay infused clean electric guitar, the track opens in a way that you wouldn't normally expect from a country tune, In fact, the intro wouldn't feel out of place as an opening to a Pink Floyd track, and this certainly a good thing. The Logan Ryan Band shows that they aren't afraid to subvert expectations in favor of expanding their musical boundaries and creative scope, I always find it's little details such as this that can have such a significant impact on the way a song is perceived. The laid back and calming nature of "Cigarettes and Alcohol" makes for an incredibly soothing listening experience, and the performances contribute to this tenfold, not only are the performances outstanding but there is a clear focus on dynamics which is an area that tends to be overlooked more often than not. From the softly expressed lap steel and its rich timbral qualities to the more flamboyant and well-crafted lead guitar work and the gentle percussion that underlays the verses to the more bombastic driving rhythms that give the chorus a feeling of immediacy and grandiose, this is a song that has an ever-changing dynamic and textural contour to it which ensures listeners are always kept thoroughly engaged throughout. Superbly performed, very well written, and produced to a very high standard, what more could a music lover want? Fantastic work!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of country will definitely surely have a great time with "Cigarettes And Alcohol".
Artist target suggestions: Brad Paisley, Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, Hank Williams, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Chris Stapelton, Keith Urban, Clay Walker, Gary Allan, Diamond Rio
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.