The framework of a singer/songwriter album is a tale as old as time. It's existed in the same shape for decades and presumably will continue to do so for years and years to come. As a participant in this style that places a disproportionate amount of its weight on the singers voice and lyrics Ryan Yingst sees no need to shake up the resilient formula; he just seeks to carve his own stories and experiences into it.

On his debut "Bar Rings", Ryan effectively fleshes out his formative memories and thoughts in a way that turns a stranger into a friend in a half hours time. It doesn't take long to confidently trace the outline of his worldview thanks to songs like "One Stop Shopping". A track in which he has visions of the picket fence suburban ...