The New Country Sounds of Ryan Wong is exactly as described. Produced by Sonny Smith, it’s a major—though welcome—departure from Ryan Wong’s work with San Francisco’s Cool Ghouls, a band that always drew obvious influence from ’60s bands like the Byrds and the Stones. (As a lover of urban ruins, I will forever be jealous I did not get to see their infamous appearance in the Sutro Caves.)*
I also love twangy Americana, so Wong’s debut under his own name currently holds the number-one spot for my favorites of the year. It’s a little bit campy, with country tropes like jangly drums and steel guitar featured prominently but not so overwhelming that they gaudily declare this work “his country album.” It’s a refreshing new entrant into the Bay’s vibrant folk-Americana scene; just as strong as any work by long-timers the Brothers Comatose or Goodnight, Texas.
*It appears that, aside from a few oblique references, all evidence of this has been erased from the internet, likely because it is illegal and quite hazardous. So, um, you didn’t hear about that from me.
