Ryan Hamilton & Harlequin Ghosts – This Is the Sound

From People on Vacation to his solo albums, Hell of a Day and The Devil’s in the Detail, Ryan Hamilton has given us the kind of catchy songs that make you want to sing along. On his newest effort, This Is the Sound, Hamilton gives us another batch of hooky power pop tunes with a touch of humor thrown in for good measure.

His first album release for Wicked Cool Records finds him in good form, this time with The Harlequin Ghosts as willing cohorts. “Bottoms Up (Here’s to Goodbye)” is a real winner, another Hamilton kiss-off song (directed at Jaret Reddick, maybe?) that’ll have you bouncin’ in your seat. The song has what is perhaps my favorite lyric of 2019 in “raise your glass. You can kiss my ass”. Perfect.

“Get Down” is a great bar room number and indicative of a generally upbeat message, equal parts fun and hope. “I don’t know if I’m gonna make it but ‘till we find out, watch me fake it”.   

Even the somewhat sobering “Far Cry” makes a case for persevering despite lost opportunity. And its got a killer hook of a chorus.

There are a dozen solid tracks, a few of which are among the best singles I’ve heard yet this year. Ryan Hamilton’s This Is the Sound is a solid contender for this year’s top 20 best of power pop list. Get it at the Wicked Cool Bandcamp page.