Customer Reviews

Crimes Against Music

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The Rubinoos first album in four years highlights the Top-40 sounds that have been their soul and inspiration since the band's inception. These thirteen covers find the Rubes tackling everything from bubblegum anthems to obscure '70s Britpop and New Wave hits. Along the way they sprinkle props to likes of The Contours and Gary Glitter, and rearrange everything to fit their trademark vocal harmonies.

The anguish of Lou Christie's "If My Car Could Only Talk" and Utopia's "There Goes My Inspiration" are superbly fitted to the band, showing them able to recreate complex early-60s radio pop as fluently as they strip down to acoustic guitars, accordion and voices. The Eurythmics "Thorn in My Side" sets a classically bitter, power-pop broken heart amid chipper harmonies, and Del Shannon's "Hats Off to Larry" provides a feast of retribution for Jon Rubin's soaring tenor and falsetto.

Polly Browne's nearly forgotten "Up in a Puff of Smoke" unites Rubin with his second vocal interest, the a cappella doo-wop singers, The Mighty Echoes, all atop Gary Glitter's "Rock 'n' Roll" beat. Tommy Dunbar's own a cappella arrangement of the Beach Boys' "Heroes and Villains" cleverly unfurls the melodic elements Brian Wilson packed into his original mono production, and adds some colors of its own.

While a few tracks don't shine as brightly as the rest (e.g., a hyperkinetic rendition of Looking Glass' "Brandy" obscures how truly bizarre the song's theme rings as a Top-40 hit), most everything here re-animates the very qualities that defined these songs as hits in the first place. The Rubinoos singing and playing (not to mention sense of humor) continues to be quite charming, resulting in an album that blends favorite singers and favorite songs into something happily suspended between old and new.

The Rubinoos are the greatest power pop band in the world. This album of 60s and 70s covers shows the roots of their music. This disc belongs in the home of everyone who cares about power pop. The harmonies and lead vocals and the arrangements still kill. The accapella version of "Heroes and Villians" takes some beating. I am sure that Brian Wilson would love it if he ever had a chance to hear it. A+

I think I saw every Rubinoos appearance in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late '70's and early '80's. I stumbled upon this CD while searching for tunes to fill my new MP3 player. Received it today and laughed out loud at the brilliance of these guys. Almost 30 years since I've seen them, and the first words out of Jon's mouth took me back to Keystone Berkeley and his incredible animation when he sang. These guys clearly LOVE what they do. Infectious pop with a twist. The album's a kick, a must for Rubes fans. If you're new to the boys, I suggest you start with "The Basement Tapes" or the anthology so you can hear their incredible original songs. Jon's voice is angelic. Tommy's guitar playing is out of this world. My only disappointment came when their "Hats Off to Larry" sported horns instead of that classic organ in the original. Nonetheless, hats off to the Rubinoos.

This is a brilliant album of cover versions. I wish that someone would play Brian Wilson the accapella cover of "Heroes and Villians" on this album. It would blow his mind-the harmonies and arrangement are that great. My favourites are the version of Lou Christie's "If my car could talk" and Todd Rundgren "There goes my inspiration". The Rubinoos are the greatest power pop band of the modern era and deserve to be signed to a major label to ensure that they get the exposure they deserve. In my perfect world I am crusing by the sea with the Rubinoos on the radio. Buy a copy today. A+