Ryan Delmore's the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood

The first time I listened to Ryan Delmore's new album, The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood, I was very surprised by how much I liked it. Allow me to explain. I enjoy listening to classic rock. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Creedence Clearwater Revival have always been favorites. On the other hand, I have never been particularly fond of contemporary Christian music or even so-called Christian rock. Up until very recently, most Christian rock I had heard sounded overproduced and oddly enough, uninspired. Enter Ryan Delmore. My opinion of Christian rock has just elevated a few notches.

Ryan Delmore is an unapologetic and devoted Christian, but he's also someone who apparently really admires some of the greatest men of rock and roll. At first blush, Delmore's voice reminds me of the late Kurt Cobain's, although his musical style is more acoustic and inspirational than Nirvana's. As I listened to Delmore's album, I also recalled classic rock artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as newer acts like The Black Crowes, Counting Crows, and even Sheryl Crow! The end result is a sound that is very familiar, yet uniquely Ryan Delmore's.

About Ryan Delmore's faith

According to his personal Web site, Ryan Delmore has been a worship leader at Five Cities Vineyard Church in Arroyo Grande, California for over fifteen years. Delmore and his church are followers of the Vineyard movement. The Five Cities Vineyard Church's Web site describes the Association of Vineyard Churches as "a diverse group of churches that partner together to advance the kingdom of God by communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed."

The Players

The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood runs for an hour and consists of eleven songs, all of which were either written or co-written by Ryan Delmore. He sings, plays acoustic guitar, and harmonica. Marc Ford plays acoustic and electric guitars and bass, while Mark Folkrod plays drums, percussion, and provides harmony vocals. Larry Schubert plays pedal steel. More harmony vocals are provided by Chris Lizotte and Kirsten Ford, Mark Ford's wife. This album is an enhanced CD that comes with printable chord charts and lyrics for each song.

The Music

Delmore wrote the first song, "Mercy", with Chris Chabot. The song is played in a gentle waltzing rhythm on acoustic guitar, accented by a lilting pedal steel, thumping percussion, and electric guitar. Delmore's voice is mellow and slightly raspy. The tempo builds and I'm reminded a little of early Van Morrison. With lyrics that are simple reminders of how Christ's blood washed away our sins, this is the kind of song that's easy to sing along to. I find it equally as pleasant to listen and marvel at the many musical threads that make up the composition.

"Sing Like Mary Sang" is a slightly more uptempo song featuring jangly electric guitars and Rick Kamrath's B-3 Hammond organ. Although this song sounds like it could be played on any contemporary rock station, Delmore is singing grateful praises to God, not to a lover. Running at about seven minutes, I think this song could have been edited. But I still enjoy its celebratory mood.

"Provide For Me" is played in a folk rock style that immediately makes me think of music by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Kirsten Ford sings harmony to Delmore's lead. Her voice is smooth and sweet, providing a gentle contrast to Delmore's rougher vocals. On this song, Ford's voice is reminscent of Sheryl Crow's, while Delmore's harmonica solo reminds me of early Springsteen. I think "Provide For Me" is one of my favorites on this album.

"Teach Me All Your Ways" is a slow, pensive number mostly played on acoustic guitar. Kirsten Ford is back, her gentle soprano voice gently backing Delmore's tenor. Ford's husband, Marc, plays a fuzzy electric guitar solo. This song is very prayerful, as Delmore's lyrics ask Jesus Christ to teach him His ways.

"Falling Down" picks up the beat song and, once again, reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival. A subtle accordion played by Janiece Hudgens can be heard under the sound of heavy acoustic guitars and gentle percussion. The melody is simple and appealing and the chorus is catchy and a little retro.

"Sacred" is a song that makes me think of Springsteen without the E Street Band. With clangy acoustic guitars, a steady beat, and Delmore's rough-hewn vocals, this song's mood is serious. The lyrics invite listeners to come before the saviour and experience something sacred. Kirsten Ford sings harmony again. I think this is another standout song on The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood.

"Jesus' Name" is an upbeat song that reminds me a little of Tom Petty, with heavy electric guitars, pedal steel, and a Hammond B-3 organ. Delmore and Ford sing together about how beautiful and wonderful Jesus' name is. Their voices are full of believable and contagious enthusiasm that make it easy to be excited about Christianity.

"Nowhere To Be Seen" is an acoustic song that begins with a harmonica solo played in a style that makes me think of Bob Dylan. But if Dylan inspired the harmonica solo, Delmore's vocals are more like Tom Petty's on this song, especially in comparison to Chris Lizotte's subtle harmony. Delmore's lyrics celebrate the miracle of forgiveness.

"The World Can't Take It Away" is a song that allows an excellent demonstration of Marc Ford's electric guitar chops. Bruce Springsteen's heyday comes to mind when I hear the subtle sounds of a Hammond B-3 organ played under the Ford's fierce lead guitar. Kirsten Ford sings backup. Listening to this song, I was quickly caught up in its infectious rhythm punctuated by handclaps.

Delmore slows things down again with "True Religion" as he plays a Dylan/Springsteen inspired harmonica solo. The song's melody is stark and dramatic, with lyrics about Christ's teachings, recalling how Christ mercifully helped those in need and asking listeners to do the same.

The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood ends on a majestic note with "Love of God". This song was obviously meant to serve as the finale, as it begins quietly and slowly builds to one big praisefest, complete with a small choir. The liner notes reveal that the choir is made up of three female singers: Jaime Eichler, Janine Sylstra, and Kirsten Ford. Somehow, the three women manage to sound like they're more than three when their voices erupt into praise at the song's finish. Marc Ford contributes another electric guitar solo, once again complimented by Janiece Hudgins' subtle accordion.

I really enjoyed listening to Ryan Delmore's debut on Varietal Records. While Delmore's lyrics are inspirational in a Christian sense, his music is inspired in a more worldly sense. As he pays respect to Christ through his music, Delmore also sounds like he respects some of the greatest musicians in rock and roll history. The individual sounds may not be uniquely Delmore's own, but he's still able to use them to create a style that is uniquely his.

Ryan Delmore's style offers a Christian message paired with music that has an edgy, raw sound. That sound makes his music interesting, which makes me want to listen to and believe Delmore's Christian message. When Ryan Delmore sings, he sounds genuine and passionate. That sound is the same reason why I still listen to rock artists whose music has been able to stand the test of time.

Overall

This album will most likely appeal to Christians who enjoy American classic rock. It may also appeal to people who just enjoy a hard rock sound, regardless of the message. Part of being a Christian is spreading the gospel and witnessing to others. I think Ryan Delmore will succeed in that mission with The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood. I had never heard of the international Vineyard movement before I checked out this album. I liked the music enough to find out more about Delmore's church and its teachings. Perhaps that is the most important part of Delmore's work as a musician and a worship leader.

I received a free promotional copy of this album in exchange for my honest opinion.