Ryan Stevenson - Yesterday Today Forever
Artist:
Title:
Yesterday Today Forever
Type:
Album
Released:
22 Mar 2011 (US), 07 Apr 2011 (UK)
LTTM Rating:
Your Rating:
Review
This is the fresh six track EP from Ryan Stevenson named Yesterday, Today, Forever. Not knowing anything about Ryan, I put my research hat on.
At the age of 18, Ryan's youth pastor surprised him by placing a guitar in his hands, stating, "I felt like the Lord was telling me to buy this for you". Ryan matured his musical gifts by playing at youth groups, summer camps and mission trips. While attending Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, Ryan formed an acoustic duo with fellow Christian artist Paul Wright and played in local coffee houses. After adding a full band...
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This is the fresh six track EP from Ryan Stevenson named Yesterday, Today, Forever. Not knowing anything about Ryan, I put my research hat on.
At the age of 18, Ryan's youth pastor surprised him by placing a guitar in his hands, stating, "I felt like the Lord was telling me to buy this for you". Ryan matured his musical gifts by playing at youth groups, summer camps and mission trips. While attending Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, Ryan formed an acoustic duo with fellow Christian artist Paul Wright and played in local coffee houses. After adding a full band to the mix, they played throughout the northwest, packing venues and opening for renowned Christian artists.
In 2003, Stevenson moved to Boise, Idaho. He continued writing songs, leading worship, and performing in small venues, all while working as a front line paramedic. In 2007 Ryan released pop/rock album Running To You, which after giving a quick listen is a good album. So what does the new album sound like, I hear you cry.
Opening and title track Yesterday, Today, Forever has a dance energy to the song, similar sounds come out of the tracks throughout the album, think TobyMac mixed with the Newsboys and you will start to grasp the sound of Ryan Stevenson. Yesterday, Today, Forever as an EP would be counted as pop/dance/rock if I had to put it in some kind of genre.
Lyrically these are worship songs, in the same way that the new songs on the new Newsboys are lyrically worship songs. Even though Ryan deals with God close to us when we're in times of trouble, the majority of the songs are very uplifting. Just listen to second track No One Ever, which has a catchy feel to it, I'm sure it will get you swaying from side to side.
The dance aspect of the EP continues with the tracks Let The Praises Rise and In The Sun, both very different kinds of dance tracks, one using clever dance drum beats and the latter using great hooks and synth work to create an unforgettable melody.
If you get the opportunity to check Ryan out live, I would highly recommend him from listening to these songs on his new EP. If you like what seems to be a trendy sound at the moment of pop/rock/synth music, then Ryan is a poetic talent worth investing some time in. Go and find out more about this talented songwriter.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 4 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Yesterday, Today, Forever
Let The Praises Rise
In The Sun