The energy of Ryan Anderson is impressive. He's a guy who clearly gets what makes Rock-and-Roll so vitally important at times. That he tackles this from a DIY angle is another plus. The new album from his band, Minorcan, is full of tunes which strike a balance between Ryan Adams-y riffs and Graham Parker-ish delivery.
"Shapeshiftin' Demon" kicks off Rock Alone in a minor key before things get more lively by the end of the song. Far better is the title cut, with its "I care about you" refrain. Anderson pours a lot of himself into this material, but there's a playfulness too in the lyrics and licks. This stuff makes me think of acts like Shawn Mullins, and solo Peter Case. The North Carolina-base of Ryan places this in the vincinity of the approach that groups like Superchunk take, but Anderson is more interested in mood than crunchy chords and punk volume. "Ghost Action" takes those elements and blends them up in one of the best songs on the record. A fiery guitar solo makes this sound like a solo number from Television's Richard Lloyd. But it's on stuff like the wry "Burial Insurance" that Anderson really shines in terms of both lyrics and playing.
Minorcan makes personal rock while drawing upon the kind of American power pop and guitar rock that we all grew up on. There's a lot of soulfulness put into this Rock Alone record. And that mix of the heart-on-the-sleeve stuff with the angular attack of his axe is what gives Rock Alone its power, and charm.
Rock Alone by Minorcan is out now via HHBTM Records. Details via Bandcamp below too.
More details on Minorcan via the official website.
[Photo: Minorcan]