NEW YORK, NY - July 6--Sometimes it is hard to come up with new words to say the same thing—that Ryanhood puts on a great show. Then you see them in a new location, a new situation, and it's possible to fall in love with their music all over again. Thursday night, Ryanhood played in a quirky New York City venue, Rockwood Music Hall. It's a small venue with no cover charge, a one drink minimum, hidden behind construction scaffolding, which passes around a tip jar during performances. Bands have to show up and convince people to dig into their pockets. Once again, Ryanhood won over the crowd by the end of their first song. I actually overheard someone asking which CD had the first song they played on it, because it was just an amazing song and while he loved the whole show, he especially loved that song (“Stopless”).

With only an hour to play, Ryanhood limited their normal banter and joking to fit in more songs, but the venue size did allow some interactive banter, bringing the crowd into the show even more than they already were. Ryan and Cameron took advantage of playing to a crowd who was less familiar with their music to play mostly new songs, with Army, Gardens and the Graves and Welcome You Into My Head the only songs from their studio CDs on their setlist. Welcome is currently a possibility for the new CD they've been rehearsing, and longtime fans will realize that the lyrics are updated, representing the overall growth and change in Ryanhood's songwriting. Seeing a Ryanhood show now may be watching a duo who has improved and grown, or may just be seeing a duo who is different, it all depends on your perspective. In many ways it's easier to appreciate Ryanhood as a fan now, as it seems the newer songs showcase Ryanhood's strengths even more than the old ones; it's always been obvious to anyone around that Ryan is great on guitar, but now it's easier to see that so is Cameron-and the two of them work together amazingly. While we're seeing more of Cameron's guitar talent, there's a chance to appreciate more of Ryan's singing, too. It's easier to feel the meaning behind lyrics as they sing, regardless of who wrote the lyrics and who is singing. At this point, picking a favorite song seems impossible, as each show different songs seem to change and improve. The focus may be on new songs, but even the older songs are changing in subtle ways that make each seem new.

Set List:

Stopless
Army
Appy Jam
Okay
Born to Run to You
Gardens and the Graves
Around the Sun
Back Into Blue
Nothing But the Real Thing
Welcome You Into My Head