Ryan Kipp

Just a Taste

(Two Cent Records)

Local artist Ryan Kipp is off to a great start on his debut EP appropriately titled “Just a Taste.”

The five-song disc is a respectable 24 minutes. Kipp intrigues with his wonderful poetic verse and his Ani DiFranco-esque guitar work. “Fire” hints at Kipp’s bluesy side, sometimes going on tangents with his guitar and adding a slight touch of his solo ability.

Kipp plays and sings with confidence and precision, knowing when to emphasize his lyrics and when to downplay them. The “coffee shop” appeal to his music is immediately apparent when he strums the first chord on the opening song, “3 Day Weekend.”

The only downside to the record is the monotone theme that haunts its progress. The album showcases Kipp’s creative songwriting skills but needs something more to complement the overall package.

Having played the East Lansing coffeehouse scene for a while, Kipp’s “Just a Taste” is a good indication of what to expect from this talented musician.