Kristina Stykos Album ‘River of Light,’ a Poetic Masterpiece in Punk-Americana Genre

By SHARON JENNINGS

Kristina Stykos has released a record that will grab the attention of both punk rock afficionadoes as well as poets. River of Light is a unique collection that underscores the love affair of poetry and rebellion. 

In this great work, Stykos seems resigned to life’s advancing age and how the times are changing. 

River of Light takes the poetry of someone who has seen more than her share of life’s blessings and defeats and sets the words to catchy music. It is not elaborately done and that is the charm.

It is interesting to note that while Stykos has been working to overcome an illness her frailty lends a heart-rending vulnerability to to the music, and the backstory behind the album.

“River of Light,” the title track is a compelling piece that sums up her fears and emotions related to being diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a disorder that “makes speaking and singing difficult or even impossible.” But Stykos manages both on this amazing record.

The album is her sixth and Stykos has produced more than 30 albums created at her Pepperbox Studio. She is founder-owner of the Americana label Thunder Ridge Records.

Stykos was named “Best Songwriter of 2013” by Vermont’s Times Argus newspaper, for her fifth solo album, Wyoming Territory. The paper previously awarded her first self-produced release, In the Earth’s Fading Light, with “Best Vermont Album of the Year” in 2005.

Musicians on this album are Val McCallum: guitars, bass, vocals, lap steel; Steve Mayone: guitars, bass, vocals, lap steel; Jeff Berlin: drums; Patrick Ross: fiddle, cello; Abby Jenne: vocals

River of Light

1. State Line Diner River 3:50
2. I Like a Hard Hearted Man 2:48
3. Walking These Ridges 3:28
4. Since You Asked 4:07
5. At the Edge 3:54
6. In the Cleansing Rain 3:01
7. Caught by the Heart 4:25
8. River of Light 4:26
9. Breaking Trail 3:45
10. Climb This Ground 4:13
11. Waging Peace 5:04
12. Blessed Light 3:40
13. Godspeed 4:01