Patrick Ryan Clark
Translation
Foreverything Records
Patrick Ryan Clark is the latest artist on the roster of producer/songwriter Cary Pierce’s Foreverything Records (along with the excellent Jon Abel, Creede Williams and Kai Brown), and with an album as good as Translation, it’s not hard to see why.
The former Surviving August frontman’s music definitely has a spiritual influence to it, but Translation develops the melodic modern rock style of Clark’s former band and if anything, is even more mainstream. The opening title track sets the tone with its atmospheric ballsy rock, reminiscent of U2, while the hook-laden “Aftermath” continues in the same vein. “Break Me” is another trademark multi-faceted modern rock gem. The poppy “Give It All Away” and the acoustic “Armour of God” show a different side to Clark’s songwriting, but the standout tracks of an astonishingly consistent album are the slow-burning ballad “Heaven” and the soaring rocker “Come Together.”
Members of Vertical Horizon and Jewel’s band provide the backing for the songs on Translation, and Patrick Ryan Clark undoubtedly proves that his talent can sit comfortably with such company on a highly promising solo debut.
Patrick Ryan Clark: http://www.myspace.com/patrickryanclarkdallas
