"I'll be honest - I've been eagerly awaiting Ronnie Day's full-length debut for months and months, so I may not be the least biased person on the Earth. But even stepping back out of my own anticipation and excitement, this is a truly amazing debut record.
From the first few tracks it is immediately evident that Ronnie has a knack for catchy melodies and upbeat riffs. The front end of the album is weighted with his earliest songs, and they display a sort of hopeful optimism and youthfulness, as is to be expected from tunes he admits having written at about age 14.
What becomes apparent further into the album is that catchy isn't the only ace up Ronnie Day's sleeve. "Written at a Rest Stop" and "My Only Friend" are heartbreakingly candid snapshots of real-life doubt and despair... not to mention the piano ballad "Call My Name", which opens with the oh-so-quotable lyric "I know life and I know love... and this is neither of them..."
What sets this album apart from the many (I shudder to use the term...) "emo" releases with which it will undoubtedly be compared is the depth of the music and the lyrics. Even at their catchiest and most radio-friendly, the tracks are layered into beautiful soundscapes of guitar and keyboard. The production is impeccable, able to stack instruments upon instruments without ever getting crowded or busy, letting the songs retain a simple feel. The lyrics, too, are at once accessible and thought-provoking, as Ronnie dissects the time-honored topics of love and loss with his own deft wordplay and respectable vocabulary.
And if nothing else, the man has to be respected for his blunt and brutal honesty. "The Album" is a true-life concept album, written over years, detailing the beginning of his music career and the subsequent breakup of his first relationship. These are not new themes, but how many other artists include names, photographs, and even an answering machine message from the ex in question?
Bravo, Mr. Day."
Undoubtedly an amazing and quality album...
S. Braun | CA, USA | 11/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the very first listen you can tell Ronnie Day possesses talent. As you continue to listen however, that's when you find out just exactly how gifted this musician truly is. "The Album" contains more than just catchy songs with great music and great vocals. Each song consists of deep and meaningful lyrics which all tell a story--a story of a love resulting in heartbreak. When I say that this is one of the best CD's I've heard in years, I say it with complete conviction. I recommend "The Album" to everyone."
Plain and Simple, great album for a rising star.
M. Burke | 11/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ive been following Ronnie for over a year now.
I purchased his EP and got unreleased stuff from him and I loved it all.
This is a great album with a lot of spunk and emotion.
Ronnie Day is going to be big I can feel it."
Fantastic album!!
DSpencer | Casa Grande, AZ | 07/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ronnie Day's "The Album" blew me away. Day has raw talent inside him - his lyrics speak about everyday things that people go through all the time. He talks of heartbreak, of missing someone, in a way we all can relate to. Day writes from his heart, and it certainly shows in his music. There isn't one song on this album I would rate badly. He doesn't compromise his music either - he doesn't swear or talk about anything vulgar, a nice break from other music. Day is easy to sing along to, his songs are empowering - especially "Written at a Rest Stop". This is by far the best album I have ever purchased."
Great album. You really feel the emotion. Wish he had more!
Kyle Freeman | Madison, WI | 01/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like heartfelt songs dealing with heartache and loss love then this is the best album for you.
It takes you on a journey that really makes you feel how it feels to go through different aspects of a relationship.
Check out his site. Just search for Ronnie Day. He apparently is going to start a live video stream with him creating more songs."