Scott Tyring Love, War, and Misadventures
Scott Tyring released his new album Love, War, and Misadventures earlier this year, which is 12 songs plus 3 bonus tracks of Americana and heartland musical adventures and expressions. The songs also tend to feature a more timeless piano based jazz and hymnal music in some numbers. Pedal steel, sax, and even banjo make an appearance. It’s an interesting blend of elements and a unique style emerges as a result.
The album opens with “I Couldn’a Done Better,” a sunny roots rock number expressing gratitude for life: “Strumming on my guitar, thinking about the way things are, and how my life has changed in many ways.” The music is roomy and good quality Americana; and very welcoming.
“Empty” is an almost jazzy piano bar tune – it’s easygoing and laid-back and carries an atmosphere of honesty. Then Scott shows his range by diving into a more blues rocky number: “Mudflap.” “Mudflap” has a classic story line that’s very relatable: when you’ve met all kinds of people from all walks of life, but you haven’t found that one special person just yet. And then plot twist with a touch of humor: “I wanna meet the girl that’s on your mud flap.”
“Angel in your Eyes” reins things in a bit with the addition of an interesting easy flute and melodies to lift your spirits gently. This is a perfect counterpoint to “Mud Flap” because this lovesong is sincere and straight from the heart: “I’ve spent so much of my life searching for the answers, the answers I found in you.” On this song Scott’s vocals really soar like a church choir leading a hymnal. That’s the expansive openness that is the appeal of most Christian rock.
“Broken Man” starts with bright horns and then brings things down to the depths of despair: “I’m a broken man, and I can barely stand my own shadow any more.” With the trials he’s going through and the desert metaphors, there are touches again of Christian influences but overall it remains universally relatable to any one of us who has struggled. “Smoke” sets up as a reflective hymnal blended with folk style but with violin in the latter half, and yet it’s musically perhaps juxtaposed with its lyrics, as it’s song about sharing a joint together in youth, and missing those moments: “it’s all plain to see that you’re scared just like me, so we let it all go up in a cloud of smoke.” This one is clearly a representative of the “misadventures” in the Love, War, and Misadventures.
“When I Say Goodbye” closes the album in a song about snowfall, a woman questioning where she belongs, and spending time together before having to end it and say goodbye.
You might not say that overall this is a “Christian music” album, but there are moments where you can see why Scott Tyring has been labeled a Christian songwriter. He can really soar up the the highest heights and there’s a spiritual breadth in those moments. The songs also range from sounding like Americana or blues rock, then dive into a more piano-based expansive styles with touches of banjo, horns, and violin that support but never push. A unique style that’s eminently listenable.
You can find more information here on his website: https://www.scotttyring.com
Love, War, and Misadventures was produced by Scott Tyring and Andy Symons, and engineered and mixed by Andy Symons and The Sound Machine in Carmel, IN. Vocal editing and mastering was done by Corey Miller on Roundtable Recording Studios in Indianapolis, IN. Jim Ryser background vocals were recorded at Dreamland Studios in Plainfield, IN. All songs were written and composed by Scott Tyring.
Musicians on the album are Scott Tyring on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, electric guitar, percussion and backing vocals; Jim Ryser on drum programming, loops and backing vocals; Andy Symons on percussion; Dan O’Beirn on bass; Bryan Headrick on electric and slide guitar, e-bow guitar and 12 string guitar; Micheal Clark on pedal steel, acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, 12 string electric Rickenbacker guitar, 12 string acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro; Frank Bradford on keys and backing vocals; Mike Price on drums and percussion; Jeff Stone on bass and fretless bass; Chris Stone on backing vocals; Bruce and Kyle Knepper on trumpet, trombone and flugelhorn; Troye Kinnett on keys, bass arrangement, string arrangement, harmonica and drum programming; Tom Clark on flute; Josh Weirich on saxophone; Sarah Yingst on violin; Maddie Caldwell on backing vocals; and Grover Parido on cello.