The new album "everlasting", by Two time top ten Billboard Charting artist Ryan Farish, IN STORES NOW! Pat Metheny, U2, St

**AVAILABLE NOW** Billboard Charting Artist Ryan Farish has delivered another stellar album with his 3rd national release Everlasting. Ryan is breaking new territory with Everlasting by expanding the depth of his music; incorporating live guitar, percussion, strings and bass with his signature piano melodies. The first thing you’ll notice is the warm live bass permeating on album starter “Together We Will Conquer” as it segues into syncopated percussion rhythms. Each song breathes from dense instrumentation to expansive openness; drifting from intense moments to lullaby peacefulness; combining elements of upbeat break-beats, lush synth washes, deep rolling bass and Ryan's beautiful melodies. “Young at Heart” builds from the brisk-paced percussion into ebbing strings that balance the song into a vibrant, upbeat number. Show stopper “Watch the Sky” ups the ante with a soft guitar lead accompanying his piano – showcasing Ryan's multi-instrumental skills. Album closer “Everlasting Light” brings Ryan back to his roots with a very simple piano outro – demonstrating his growth and ability to deliver a stunning album of simplistic beauty.

RYAN FARISH
Everlasting

Everlasting is Ryan Farish’s most consistently enjoyable album to date and to my ears it’s also his best overall effort. All twelve tracks on the CD are instantly accessible, infectious as all get out, yet they also walk the fine line between not being repeats of previous releases yet not drastic reinventions which might alienate long-time fans.

Still present on Everlasting are the artist’s deeply echoed piano, which usually anchors the song’s lead melody, as well as his layers of deftly applied synths/keyboards. What’s new on this CD you ask? Most prominent are leaner, more aggressive and varied beats, including the use of break beats (and semi-drum and bass on one cut). Farish has also expanded his palette of synth sounds, sometimes employing a sequencer (coloring the music with a retro-EM tint) and at other times veering over into overt spacy electronica. He also introduces some more European-flavored chill-out motifs at times. In addition to all of this, the artist plays some guitar on a few tracks as well as real bass, the latter adding strong bottom and, finally, occasional “real” hand percussion is present as well.

“Together We Will Conquer” opens the CD with pulsing bass beats and swirling synths/ chorales and hand percussion. The beats are faster, more passionate (even frenetic) and of a different nature than on earlier recordings, but when that wonderful echoed piano takes over, you’ll know you’re in good hands. “Mercy Follows” has that same pulsing bass line, piano, and a fluid flute line, but the drum kit rhythms have an interesting twist to them that’s hard to articulate. Farish’s patented massed chorales add more familiarity to the tune, even while whirly-gigging synths color the song with quirky new shades. “We Are Free” marries a propulsive rhythm with plucked strings (a la Enya) and the song is every bit as likable as anything of late from the comely new age lass. I only wish the song’s bridge was longer because it introduces some cool musical elements. “Young At Heart” is the track which features the quasi-drum and bass, set against retro bleeping synths and piano. Farish has a sly trick up his sleeve as he injects real violins into the mix, even while maintaining all the other parts and the unusual juxtaposition works! The artist reaches back into his bag of tricks on “Wildflower” which opens with glitch textures against piano and a plaintive violin, before dialing in the uptempo beats and the first discernible appearance of strummed guitar. Plucked orchestral strings are counter-pointed by another trademark of the artist -- soaring whistling keyboards. “Breakthrough” is the most overt electronica piece Farish has ever recorded, almost approaching outright EM at times, with plenty of synths, spacy effects whizzing by in the sound field, and break beats galore. This is one of my favorite tracks and once again it finds Farish employing a sequencer as well as some retro-sounding keyboards. “Time Between Us” begins as solo piano but soon evolves into a mixture of European chill-out/dub rhythms, slow and sensual, as well as piano and synth chorales. “Dedicated” is the most openly guitar-driven track on the album and offers a nice change of pace with its trap drum beats and strummed chords. Finally, Farish closes the album with a solo piano tune, “Everlasting Light,” an evocative and beautiful conclusion to the album and not as out of place as one might think.

Everlasting is so good an album that my only concern is what in the world can Ryan Farish possibly come up with to top it? However, at this point in time, who cares? I’ll just keep spinning it again (and again and again) and luxuriate myself in one of the best albums of 2006. Regardless of whether you are a big fan from previous releases or a novice to Farish’s music, I highly recommend you grab a hold of this one pronto!

Bill Binkelman
New Age Reporter