Bob Rylett is a walking jukebox on The Punchline
The Punchline (Independent)
Give Bob Rylett credit for owning up to his influences. His page on the website of his booking agency, Exposure Entertainment, includes a partial list of the songs this walking jukebox has in his repertoire. Among them are numbers by Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and Simon & Garfunkel. Rylett even includes the Paul Simon–penned “The Boxer” alongside the 11 originals on his new CD, The Punchline.
That’s a risky move, since it invites a comparison that’s inevitably going to come out in Simon’s favour. Like “The Boxer”, Rylett’s songs are filled with down-at-heel characters dreaming their solitary dreams, and while his lyrics don’t really uncover any deep truths about the human condition that we haven’t heard before, the guy is certainly capable of turning a clever phrase, like these lines from “Punchline”: “I said how are you? And he ah said what would Jesus do?/Oh why don’t we just get him on the phone.”
The songs are based around Rylett’s singing and acoustic-guitar strumming, with coproducer Bob Pompei adding vocal harmonies and various other touches. It’s a clean, pleasant sound, and Rylett’s delivery is endearingly earnest, even if he strives a touch too hard for that world-weary-troubadour ache. He’s no Paul Simon. But, to be fair, neither is anyone else.
Comments
7 Comments
Leslie Cairns
Apr 28, 2011 at 11:50pm
Wow... did we listen to the same CD? Because it sounds like you just did your research by reading other reviews. Did you listen to the CD at all, or just the song that bears the title? The Punchline CD as a complete work, is anything but 'risky'. From Bobs' astute lyrics on 'These Days They Move Apocalyptically' to the heart felt look at life heard on 'It's On Our Face' to the soulful sounds on 'We Compensate for What We Lack', this is a War Song. It offers a wonderful flow to the listener that I haven't experienced in some time. As far as Paul Simon Goes... I wasn't given even the remotest indication that Bob Rylett was trying to 'be' Paul Simon. Why would he.....? "Content, we're 6'4.... confused, we're small again".....
Brent Rilett
Apr 29, 2011 at 6:36am
Tough break getting a review from John Lucas. Around Vancouver he is known as a failed musician who would much rather stare in the mirror holding his guitar than actually write music. The term used most often to describe John is "Poseur".
As Bob's management I can say we have moved past the 1000 units sold mark and it hasn't even been out a month. No small feat for an indie musician. Do yourself a favour and give "The Punchline" a listen.
Brent Rilett
The Duchess
Apr 29, 2011 at 3:14pm
Oh Brent Rilett, must be new to the biz. Everybody knows you haven't made it til a critic pans your client's music. And that didn't even happen here. Maybe Bob/Brent could figure out how to use social media to their advantage, making the opinions of reviewers much less vital to their survival, or they could grow a pair and take legitimate reviews like men ;)
halfbaked
Apr 29, 2011 at 3:51pm
brent, you're an idiot. i dont even want to go listen to bobs songs now. way to be a good rep for your client you ass.
Brent Rilett
Apr 29, 2011 at 4:55pm
I didn't say it was a bad review Duchess. Bob has been doing this for 20 years. I just call it like it is. I guess it's true by half baked comments. I'm man enough to post my name also. Whatever it takes to get the news out there. I guess I succeeded. Got you guys to post comments about me.
The Duchess
May 1, 2011 at 2:42pm
I posted a comment the same day that Kate Middleton became a Duchess, and called myself such out of wishful thinking/a joke/having no interest in giving out my real name because Brent seems like the kind of guy who would personally attack someone if they left their real name. Happened to John Lucas, wonder how I could have thought such a thing? But honestly, I know some industry boards that would be THRILLED to see such an exchange between casual viewer and artist management - it will be of no help to Bob's career, I assure you. Good work, Brent, hope you're well on your way to being fired as the rep, but based on your tactics I'll assume you come cheap enough. If that's the case, your client still hasn't gotten what he paid for, because you're as useless as a box of dull nails.
The Duchess
May 1, 2011 at 2:46pm
Also, Brent, it's not YOUR job to rep a client and get people on the internet to post comments about YOU. That's the polar opposite to what your job is. Please go back to school. Humber College has some pretty incredible music management courses that you're in dire need of taking.