Tyler
Byrnes | Hope is Real
Independent
Reviewed
by Mort Gage
Tyler
Byrnes is all about the healing. By day, the Saugerties singersongwriter
uses his musical abilities to help improve the lives of children
with disabilities such as autism and emotional and behavioral
disorders. In this thankless, infinitely commendable work,
the ambitious twenty-something employs such music therapy
methods as songwriting and group-drumming workshops to foster
the communication and social skills of the challenged kids
he mentors. But in his off hours, Byrnes pens introspective,
sensitive odes aimed at bringing a little soothing solace
to the soul.
For
Hope is Real, his third offering, the multi - ins t rumental
i s t By rnes called in a few of his heavy Hudson Valley muso
friends to help out, top dogs like bassist and Felice Brother
Jeremy Backofen, the wonder ful l y ubiquitous Dean Jones
[here on trombone], and ROLL’s own Ross Rice, who not
only produced the disc but contributes [deep breath] drums,
Hammond organ, acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals,
piano, and synthesizer.
Byrnes
is clearly not out to torch the musical landscape: Most of
the earnest, acoustic-based tracks here recall Jack Johnson
or Hootie & The Blowfish, while the slightly edgier interludes
bring to mind lateperiod Lennon ["Accept You My Friend"]
and the contemporary adult alternative fare of acts like Cracker
[“Ride”]. But as a tight, cleanly produced document
of a beginning songwriter’s work, it does its job most
adequately. As this goes to press, we’re told Byrnes
is already working on his next project, a children’s
album that addresses the social, behavioral, and emotional
issues of young people.
Tyler
Byrnes appears at the Muddy Cup, New Paltz, Fr 10/19, 9 PM
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