Album Review: No Agenda by Ryan Kralik
Do you miss good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll? Well, Ohio’s Ryan Kralik brings this back with his fifth record release entitled No Agenda. His friendly melodies and endearing guitar riffs attracted the likes of Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam, Hovercraft, Candlebox, and Unified Theory), Rick “The Bass Player” Rosas (Neil Young, Joe Walsh, Buffalo Springfield), Michael G. Ronstadt and Keith Lowe (Brad) to collaborate on the recording.
“This is the kind of music that moves me, it’s heartfelt and deep,” says Krusen, who plays drums on four of the tracks. “I really enjoyed playing drums on Ryan’s tunes.”
The album is a great balance of styles from the guitar heavy Jesus Hates Fags to the folky Center of Every World to the catchy Setting Sun, which is the strongest track from a solid selection. “After the session i couldn’t get Setting Sun out of my head,” Rosas explains. “That’s a good sign!”
Where the album really shines, however, is in its words. “Storm all of the ministries, demand that they set us all free” from The Egypt Riot, “Sometimes they take you, use you for what they need, to drink, to wash, water down their seed” from When You’re the Rain, and “Where will you run to, where will you hide, is that your god on the border or the devil inside” from God on the Border are all part of a powerful message Kralik puts forward on an album that is dedicated to the recent Occupy movement.
Occupy a copy of No Agenda and you’ll be happy you did.
