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Riley Armstrong What do you get when you cross the musical styles of Steven Curtis Chapman and Beck? Riley Armstrong, the first recording artist on FlickerRecords.com, a new record label founded by three members of Audio Adrenaline, Mark Stuart, Will McGinniss and Bob Herdman. They sure found a good opening act for their new label! Riley not only wrote his own lyrics, he also played guitar and sang. And he included the banjo, rhodes, wurlitzer, synthesizer and some sampling. And as if that wasn't enough, he also produced the album. A well-blended pop sound defines Riley's music. Guitar and rhythms provide the main backdrop for the vocals, but the layering of other elements make for a very mature sound. Most of the songs have an upbeat tempo, but it's not overdone. 'Watching out for Tristyn' and his cover of 'Bridge over Troubled Water' slow things down. Song topics vary from the sun to family activities around the table to gravity to mediations on a paper cup. Highlights on this CD include his single 'Greater Than' about the greatness of God and his love, and, a college favorite, 'Sleep' about how hard it is to get up in the morning. Pop is by far not my favorite kind of music, but Riley has a fun sense of humor and quick wit that shows through his music. It's just fun to bop to. Riley's background really shows up in this album. He grew up in a small town in Canada and helped his father with the family's grain farm. He started playing music on a souvenir comb when he was six years old and picked up guitar in 5th grade. His career escalated from there and he went on to study music recording in Vancouver after high school. His music blends the wonder of nature and God's outreaching love. With his first album off and running, it will be a joy to follow this young artist's career. (Karin M.) |
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