
Ray Gibson is a country/pop singer from Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Canada is not usually known for it's country music, because country music originated in the US. However, Gibson has more potential than many American country singers, which is completely ironic. Ray Gibson has a unique country style. She has a sweet, high pitched voice, incredible lyrics, and country/folk-pop production that marks her as a standout artist. This EP was released in the March of 2013, and her new EP is poised for release the summer of 2015.
The EP begins with "Stop the Clock", the best track on the record. It's risky to begin a record with a ballad, but this track actually works very well. The beginning acoustic guitar is a perfect intro to Gibson's style of music and this song overall is a good introduction. It's a sweet love song, with soft rock influence and strong vocals. At the end of the song Gibson sings,
"You're beautiful enough to make me wanna turn the whole world off. So let's see if you can stop the clock."
There is an innocence in that line that makes the track perfect, an a beautiful opener to Gibson's music.
Other key ballads on the EP are "Good Morning Broken Heart" and "Til I Saw You." The former is remiscent of John Mayer's "Dreaming With A Broken Heart", and is one of those heartbroken ballads that deserve a spot on every record. This song stands out not because of it's common subject matter, but Gibson's vocals. They are not as strong here, as they are on the rest of the record, but that is what makes this song so beautiful. It shows the emotion and broken-down feeling the song gives off, and creates an even more melancholy track. "Til I Saw You" is a bit more uplifting. First and foremost, the production of this song is outstanding. It brings in more of the folk pop feel, and compliments Gibson's high pitched vocals. The lyrics on this track are also superb, and capture the meaning of the track perfectly.
The best uptempo track on this EP is "Park By Home Plate". Although this kind of song is a cliche in country music, with the country guy and girl, it is also unique. The last lyric of the chorus is incredibly witty and provocative, when Gibson sings, "Park by home plate, and you'll play first base, maybe later we can do the same."
This album contains many gems, but it also contains some throwaway tracks. For every outstanding song, there is a song that could be on any country album. However, the songs that Gibson does well, she does very well. Her new EP comes out this summer, and I expect it will be full of the kind of music that she excels at creating.
Best Tracks: Stop the Clock, Til I Saw You, Park By Home Plate
Throwaway Tracks: No Trespassing Sign, We're Almost There
Overall Rating: 3 and a half crowns
"You're beautiful enough to make me wanna turn the whole world off. So let's see if you can stop the clock."
There is an innocence in that line that makes the track perfect, an a beautiful opener to Gibson's music.
Other key ballads on the EP are "Good Morning Broken Heart" and "Til I Saw You." The former is remiscent of John Mayer's "Dreaming With A Broken Heart", and is one of those heartbroken ballads that deserve a spot on every record. This song stands out not because of it's common subject matter, but Gibson's vocals. They are not as strong here, as they are on the rest of the record, but that is what makes this song so beautiful. It shows the emotion and broken-down feeling the song gives off, and creates an even more melancholy track. "Til I Saw You" is a bit more uplifting. First and foremost, the production of this song is outstanding. It brings in more of the folk pop feel, and compliments Gibson's high pitched vocals. The lyrics on this track are also superb, and capture the meaning of the track perfectly.
The best uptempo track on this EP is "Park By Home Plate". Although this kind of song is a cliche in country music, with the country guy and girl, it is also unique. The last lyric of the chorus is incredibly witty and provocative, when Gibson sings, "Park by home plate, and you'll play first base, maybe later we can do the same."
This album contains many gems, but it also contains some throwaway tracks. For every outstanding song, there is a song that could be on any country album. However, the songs that Gibson does well, she does very well. Her new EP comes out this summer, and I expect it will be full of the kind of music that she excels at creating.
Best Tracks: Stop the Clock, Til I Saw You, Park By Home Plate
Throwaway Tracks: No Trespassing Sign, We're Almost There
Overall Rating: 3 and a half crowns