Three years after releasing his self-titled album, Ryan Sims is back with My Side of the Story – an EP featuring his country-rock sound, candid songwriting and the support of an impressive all-star group of musicians including former John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff, the Rolling Stones’ bassist Darryl Jones, Elton John’s keyboardist Kim Bullard and Lady Antebellum’s guitarist Jason “Slim” Gambill.
Sims wrote/co-wrote each of the seven tracks, creating a series of stories and lessons stemming from his own personal trials and tribulations: an unfaithful ex-lover, the end of a long term relationship, and struggles that led to rehab. As quoted on his website – “This EP shows a vulnerable side to me I’ve never really exposed before. Every one of these songs is true. Every story they tell actually happened. I even questioned whether I should record some of them because they were so personal. But I did it because ultimately it’s not me but it’s the music that’s important.”
Kicking off the EP with its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus (“Got, got, got, gotta get away” instantly gets stuck in your head), “Get Away” tells of Sims’ need to escape the current tides of his life. The lead single’s pace slows down midway through, grabbing one’s attention and allowing the listener to truly hear Sims as he proclaims – “… I keep looking ahead, stop thinking ’bout the miles behind. There’s coming a day when you know I’m gonna say I’m alright. Until then I’m keeping this car in drive.”
Sims represents his eclectic style well over the seven tracks. “American Things” leans classic rock. “Before I Sell Myself” has a slight alt/pop-rock feel. “Tragedy” and “Red Head” are lyrical masterpieces of heartache. The beautiful “Black and Blue” is melodic and melancholy, with steel guitar and mandolin giving it a classic country sound:
Well these scars are the chapters of the foolish things I’ve done
In my time I’ve collected quite a few
And these bruises are just fading memories that I don’t want
You left me black and blue
You left me black and blue
But perhaps the most honest song of the EP is “Little Ms. Bad Decision” Rock in nature, the stinging lyrics hold back no punches:
Verse 1:
Your eyes have never told a lie
Even when your mouth does
That’s why I can’t kiss you tonight
I don’t know where your mouth was.
Verse 2:
You’re right, it’s only in my head
I didn’t catch you cheating.
Oh then why is this shirt under my bed?
That poor boy must be freezing.
With rock, pop, country and lyrics that feel like they came straight from a vein, My Side of the Story clearly delivers Sims’ side of the story.
TRACKLISTING FOR MY SIDE OF THE STORY:
“Get Away”
“American Things”
“Black And Blue”
“Red Head”
“Tragedy”
“Little Ms. Bad Decision”
“Before I Sell Myself”
My Side of the Story is available for purchase via www.ryansimsmusic.com and iTunes, and to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.
For more information on Ryan Sims, visit his website: www.ryansimsmusic.com