Review: Ricky Beamer’s ‘Installations No. 1’
Jordan Hoban | November 24, 2021
Album art of “Installation No. 1” by Ricky Beamer.
Psychobilly. Throwback. Chaotic. Restrained. Ricky Beamer, the music project of WWC’s own Benedetto Maniscalco, is working with a loaded brush, and their new EP, “Installations No.1,” is a blast of sound and color. The production is busy, and at times it feels like early Elvis Costello infused with the nervous energy of Stephen Malkmus, or like Hank Williams plunged into a vat of modernization juice and Mrs. Doubtfire-d into the 21st century.
From the opening, “Into the Infinity,” we’re met with the first of what have to be described as flat-out country songs. The only song on the EP that feels more like The Happy Mondays than Randy Travis is “The Other Side,” a 1970s Manchester, U.K.-inspired ballad that changes tempo and mood like tennis shoes fumbling around on tumble dry. It’s a vibe.
The stand-out track is “My Cryin Heart.” The most country of all Ricky’s songs, but also the strongest example of the overall atmosphere of the EP. What if Shaun Ryder covered Hank Williams? Who cares? This is better because it’s real. The psychedelic digressions on the album, and this song in particular, bolstered with rambling lead guitar by Tristan Ross, elevate the album outside mere throwback.
The vocals are never buried, which pleasantly leaves room to consider the lyrics — at times they’re clever and other times they’re obfuscated by cleverness. But that’s fine. People don’t listen to music anymore, anyway. If we can live in a world where Spotify pays artists half a penny for their heartache, then we can have some unique lyrics tented in our municipality. Sometimes Ricky’s voice hits pitches that bring famed frontman of The Doors, Jim Morrison, to mind, and the piano on the EP has nearly the same tone as the one on “Love Her Madly.” And the organ, too. Sometimes it’s uncanny.
From my understanding, this is Ricky’s first release, and it’s striking. Out of the gate they have a strong vision or the resemblance of one. It’s difficult discussing new artists because the listener has little knowledge of their raison d'etre. How many of the most interesting elements of the music are accidental, and how many will continue through into their next EP or full length album? I hope Ricky/Benedetto keeps making music, and honing their sound, because doing your own thing is better than doing everyone else’s.
You can stream and purchase the album on November 27, 2021 at https://rickybeamer.bandcamp.com and https://soundcloud.com/rickybeamer.
