TimeCladdagh Records ***

Hes forged his reputation on solid blues, but Gavin Ryan ventures towards wider horizons on his third album. The heavyweight voice has evolved since his last studio foray. Now he's deploying it in the service of a mood that's more David Lynch and Twin Peaks, with an unexpected weakness for tracing the bold outlines of cabaret on occasion. Top hats, sailors' laments, drowned sorrows and a healthy fear of the grim reaper: life's rich tapestry is writ large and small on Ryan's 10 original songs. Brian Connor again lends ballast on fender rhodes, piano and Hammond organ, but on Time the spaces are wide open in a Panavision kind of way. Cinematic in scope, there are occasions when it seems Ryan's got his tongue planted in his cheek. But the overriding tone is one of wistful reflection. gavinryan.com

Download: I Don't Want to Die