Customer Reviews

Ruby Sea

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the recording that introduced me to Thin White Rope and, after buying two of their earlier efforts ("In the Spanish Cave" and "Sack Full of Silver"), it remains my favorite. This underrated band possessed a unique sound amid the late 80's and early 90's clutter of indie and lo-fi rock n' roll - a sound that I believe is crystallized on this album. It is easy and true enough to label "The Ruby Sea" a rock album. It is, however, a rock n' roll haunted by the ghost of a distant punk influence, shaped by a poetic vision of the human condition and unafraid to blur genres. There are moments of somber, almost gothic, introspection ("Puppet Dog" and "The Fish Song" for instance) and times when a twisted country influence seems to shine through ("Bartender's Rag", "Christmas Skies"). Each track, different as one may seem from another, fits perfectly into the whole that is "The Ruby Sea", resulting in a disc that demands to be played and played again.

Sure, they had a sense of humor, but "Hunter's Moon" is scary and wound as tight as a tick. I found this on cassette for 50 cents about 15 years ago, and it remains my favorite of their recordings, although "Moonhead" is a close second. Both are essential, and I'll even throw in "Sack Full Of Silver" for a trinity.