Customer Reviews

Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With Ruby's first album "Salt Peter", I knew the woman had some talent with her amazingly erotic vampy growl, and TripHopesque industrialized factory beats. Yet, there was something lacking. On this record the lyrics are just as fierce, but her vocal sound is deeper, and almost jazzier. She still has a rough edge , but the music is actually melodic , and more danceable. She also includes more live instrumentation such as horns and string arrangements, which add the PERFECT touch to this allready flawless electronic composition. I truely believe this is one of the most perfectly crafted recordings ever, and look forward to future releases.

Back in 1996 I was completely bowled over by Ruby's **Salt Peter** album. The combination of industrial beats and effects with the punk/metal guitars was a wild new sound, and Leslie Rankine was a heart-stopping singer. Her wide range of nuances, from a sly purr to an angry growl, was enough to make a guy curl up in a fetal position, while her intelligent and sharp-edged lyrics really got under your skin and demanded that you listen. I thought Ruby had dropped off the face of the Earth, but was very excited when this new album appeared. I know that five years have passed, so it's natural for Ruby and Leslie to want to move on, and nobody should expect this album to sound just like the old one. Unfortunately, no progress has taken place during the five-year wait. Instead, this album shows Ruby digressing from a distinct and intriguing artist to a completely run-of-the mill and unfocused trip-hop crooner. Leslie's vocals are not even close to the strength and maturity she showed on Salt Peter. Here, except for some quirks like "Lilypad," Leslie is barely even singing, but is mostly chanting or mumbling under her breath. The authority and maturity in her voice, which were so distinct on the last album, are nowhere to be found. And the music has lost just about all of its uniqueness as well. Here Ruby is trying to be nothing more than a second-rate Tricky or Bjork, with very tired ambient or light techno dirges that just go in one ear and out the other.

If Leslie Rankine and Ruby disappear for another five years, I hope the next wait turns out to be worth it. The wait from 1996 to 2001 wasn't. (Note - I don't know why the Amazon listing says that this is an EP. It's a full length album.)

For those familiar with her past CD - Salt Peter, this disc will come as a bit of a surprise. Her distinctive vocals have been replaced with a softer, and in some spots, almost spoken vocal. Only on Waterside do you catch a glimpse of what once was (and even then only in the chorus).

And while there are still a handful of grudgy, dark beats to be found (especially the first track), this CD is musically much different and much lighter than Salt Peter. There is a lot of distinct jazz and even drum & bass influences going on here, folks. True, it's some pretty funky, weird jazz and drum & bass, but it's there none the less.

If someone had sat me down blindfolded and played this disc for me, I might never have guessed who it was. So, I suppose those expecting Salt Peter 2 might be disappointed. BUT, don't let this scare you away from what is still a very cool CD.

Ruby is Lesley Rankine (ex-Silverfish and occasional Pigface collaborator) and Mark Walk (really talented electronic musician/producer). Short-Staffed is just a little bit lighter and more eccentric than the duos previous full-length (four years ago!). but its no cake walk. Sometimes dark, sometimes quirky but missing is the sexual/predatory tone of Rankines previous vocals. New this time around are occasional horns and other jazzy sounds and a somewhat more live feel to the recordings.

It took me a long time to get comfortable with this release, but it definite grows on you.

Ruby is Lesley Rankine (ex-Silverfish and occasional Pigface collaborator) and Mark Walk (really talented electronic musician/producer). Short-Staffed is just a little bit lighter and more eccentric than the duos previous full-length (four years ago!). but its no cake walk. Sometimes dark, sometimes quirky but missing is the sexual/predatory tone of Rankines previous vocals. New this time around are occasional horns and other jazzy sounds and a somewhat more live feel to the recordings.

It took me a long time to get comfortable with this release, but it definite grows on you.

Yeah, well after five years things do change. Ruby's new CD sounds a bit different than Saltpeter- softer, jazzier. That's not a bad thing either. You wont find yourself rocking out to Short Staffed, but you will be tapping your feet and humming along. If you bought the first one and liked it, you will like the new one. If you like alt. rock mixed with electronica you'll like this one.

yes this is full album 11songs,not EP.the sounds is more deep and quiet but lesley still have edge and her wording take back to London when she sang with silver-fish.I was also there and believe she writing 'bout descend to the days.this CD isn't like other jazzy or trip-hop,'cause of her 'rocker' essence.each sound grain is heavy and visualize her today. brilliant.

Ruby's "Salt Peter" CD was a gem. Well defined tuned enriched with disciplined production. No wonder Sony put it out. "Short Staffed" takes Ruby into different directions. First of all, we find her back on an indie label. Second, her eccentricity is evident in these songs. There are tunes here with influences of electronica, jazz, lounge, even some ye-ye girlie. The songs and production of this package is quite eclectic but will not disappoint Ruby fans out there. A new remix of "Grace" has just been released.

It's now 2005.
Where are you Ruby? I miss you so much!

Let me say that this is one of the best albums ever. I can't
believe or understand how anyone can be disappointed with this
masterpiece. Yes, it is more trip-hop then industrial, and when I first heard it I was suprised since I was used to "Salt Peter". But, soon my ears were delightfully entertained by this wonderful woman; her voice, her ideas. I wanted to dance, sing, masturbate, etc.

Songs like "Beefheart" and "Grace" can stick in your mind for hours. How can anyone dislike these jems?

If anything, there is a great leap in maturity displayed here compared to the Salt Peter CD. There are great songs on Salt Peter too, but that album as a whole isn't as strong. I would say that the only song on Short Staffed that doesn't appeal to me is "Sweet Is". It's not a bad song. I just have to be in the "mood" for it.

The leap in maturity is found in the jazzy style within the music, and Leslie can compete with the best of them, like Suzanne Vega, Edie Brickell, Carlie Simon, Tori Amos, or any modern "Stupid, Spoiled Whore" that has come out since 1990.

By the way, my 11 year old daughter (and I) love the song Lilypad. I also, for some strange reason, neglected to hear the song "Fuse Again" (which is the last song) for about 1 year after I purchased said recording. It happens to be one of my favorite tracks now. It has an 80's pop rock feel to it, but of course Ruby updates the sound so that it is currently hip and not at all cheesey.

There is so much good music out there! You just have to look for it!

Ruby, come back! I want to marry you!

ruby is singing better than ever , cool beats , electronica , even jazz , must buy.......