EP Review: 3 // Ringo Harrison
Influenced by the likes of Dead Kennedys, Frank Zappa and System of a Down, one can imagine that singer-songwriter Ringo Harrison has a rather heavy sound – you’d be right. For approximately 14 years, US-based Ringo has created music to inspire, empower and reflect on life. The latest addition to his discography is the three-track EP 3.
Alright, I’ll admit that when I heard the name Ringo Harrison my mind immediately reverted back to The Beatles. The skill of George Harrison and Ringo Starr rushed forth, so a Beatles sound is what I expected. Um, not exactly but this Ringo has a strong musicality that stands out in contemporary music scenes; much like The Beatles did back in the day. Using a DIY approach, 3 is a self-recorded, produced and released EP. As I mentioned, his influences are within the rock sphere; however, 3 highlights Ringo’s diverse style, innovation and eclecticism as an artist.
Following his singles ‘Collective Neurosis’, ‘Barbed-Wire Disease’, and ‘Far From Home’, 3 embraces elements of rap-rock, metal, hard rock and alternative rock. Unlike the previous singles, Ringo Harrison’s new music adds a hip hop infusion into the harder, heavier instrumental arrangement. Moreover, there is a stronger electronic influence on 3 using synth beats as part of the arrangement in ‘Bullshit’ and ‘Nectarine’. This is versatility, but the final track ‘Unstrung’ pushes forward Ringo’s distinctive metal guitar-driven sound.
As pounding and powerful as the melodies are, 3 is an EP about human fragility and vulnerability. Touching on misunderstanding, discontentment, inner turmoil, anxiety, angst and addiction, 3 is a slice of life in this uncertain world. When speaking about the tracks, Ringo explains that “’Bullshit’ is about people clarifying the misunderstandings surrounding my attempts at getting my music in front of the right people. ‘Nectarine’ is…kinda about not knowing why I’m still alive but knowing there must be more work to be done before I leave this life…’Unstrung’ is about withdrawals from drugs…”