THE DAILY FREEMAN
Published: Friday, November 26, 2010

SOUND ADVICE: Oryan separates itself from the pack with 'I (Heart) RY"
By David Malachowski


You can’t be in this band unless your name is Ryan (except play lead guitar). Led by Ryan Megan on vocals and guitar, Ryan Schoonmaker on drums, Ryan McCann on bass, and odd-man-out non-Ryan Adam Gosney on drums [sic], Oryan formed in 2008, and recorded “I (Heart) RY” in nearby Millbrook Sounds Studios by John Chocianowski.

“The Ride” gravely growls with clever phrasing, mild mumbling and equal parts singing and spoken word, resulting in an intriguing combination. “Helvetica” rolls in like a wave in a slippery slide with moody acoustics, angular electrics and the devil’s back-beat supporting Megan’s sinister vocal delivery. “Manuals” goes for the throat at the top, then drops to a lonesome acoustic, dramatic accents, while “Goodbye” is exquisitely layered and lovely.

Tom Wait’s is a touchstone here (They’ve even covered him) but more rocked up.

Megan and Schoonmaker’s production here is top notch, and the band easily separates itself from the pack with a cinematic sound dripping with uniqueness.

Our personal favorite might be “Millbrook Needs A Taco Bell” just because that’s funny (and highly improbable). In it, Megan rants about the lack of his favorite restaurant in the quaint upscale community.