Ryan Sprinkle - winter warmer

Ryan Sprinkle

Winter Warmer
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

I think it is fair to say a good majority of us have had a hard winter. I live in Chicago and after this winter it may be time to go. Another person who recognized this was Ryan Sprinkle who released a five-song EP entitled Winter Warmer, which he wrote in order to help people get through the thick of winter.  The songs are acoustic, vocal-based songs that emanate with melancholy but at the center have a warmth that feels hopeful. Sprinkle will draw comparisons to Bon Iver in the way he utilizes vocal harmonies, strums his guitars and the reverse sounding effects he implements. That being said the songs are well written and are a testament to the talent Sprinkle brings to the table.

The EP starts with one of the strongest songs on the EP entitled “Not Too Young To Notice.” Sprinkle strums guitar chords while singing in a deep, attractive voice. His lyrics avoid clichés and are creative. He sings “ high over the waters edge the moon it was glowing all of the thoughts we were tying the knots in your eyes it was showing.” I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple vocal harmonies. It created a full sound that seemed to almost overwhelm the music. 

“Anything At All” combines subtle reverse effects with Sprinkle’s acoustic guitar and stoic voice. It’s an emotionally deep song that seems to be yearning for a light in the darkness. He sings “oh and grace if you're out there hiding your head around the bend know that I'm looking for you everywhere oh I'm looking for anything at all.”  Sprinkle delivers again with “Sinking Slowly” before ending with “Still The Same,” which is a song sung acapella. It’s a great ending to a very impressive album.

Sprinkle sings from the heart throughout this EP and is hard not to be at least a little bit affected by his conviction. 

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