Ryan Shaw – It Gets Better (2010)

Ryan Shaw burst onto the scene in 2007, working with producers Jimmy Bralower and Johnny Gale to create one of the most unadulterated musical pleasures of that year with his debut album This Is Ryan Shaw. (with the big radio hit “Do the 45 “) It was a brilliant disc that recalled the vibe of early Motown, relying on well selected covers and surprisingly strong original tunes. It Gets Better comes out smoking, both musically and lyrically, with the first single "It Gets Better," on which Shaw, southern soul beat and organ blaring, addresses his critics (and the major record companies) head on: "They tried to tell me/I'm living in the past/They said 'Boy you'd better change it if you wanna last.' But I know it's worth the fight/to do what's in my heart/just give me the microphone and watch the fire start." It's a great intro and the most natural follow-up to the work on his debut. And over the six song EP, he continues his authentic homage to classic soul, covering everything from Sam Cooke-like ballads ("Morning Noon & Night") to a funky, classic Stax sound ("Get Previous"). He even includes a more modern track, "We Don't Give Up Now," that stands as an indictment of injustices in America while also celebrating the resilience of Americans. Throughout it all, Shaw sounds great, nailing both the jumpy, upbeat numbers and the sweet ballads with aplomb, only faltering on the oversung cut, "The Sweetest Thing." With It Gets Better, Ryan Shaw makes a clear statement of the music that is in his heart and the direction in which he wants to take his career – and where he thinks his fans will follow, regardless of what critics may think. Unlike Shaw's debut, which was a left field pleasure, It Gets Better arrives with some expectations, and it generally meets them. It is a solid, if brief, follow up that shows Shaw is the real deal.

Tracklist:

01. It Gets Better
02. Morning Noon & Night
03. In Between
04. Mama May I
05. People Get Ready
06. Get Previous
07. The Sweetest Thing
08. What A Woman
09. We Don't Give Up Now
10. Knock On Wood

Sound Quality: 8/9