Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great sendoff for the Houseman, November 30, 2004
(Probably) Galactic's last studio album with Theryl "The Houseman" DeClouet features the vocalist more than any other release. "Ruckus" finds Galactic focusing more on tighter songwriting and less of a jamband sound. To me, an occasional fan of jamband music, this is a refreshing turn. I think jambands are fun, but after a certain point they can become boring and less meaningful (i.e. if you try and subsist on a diet of 7-minute-long solos, you're eventually going to get bored and they'll start to sound way too similar). Anyway, Galactic's tight new sound utilizes a few things that they hadn't dabbled in before; hip-hop sound (heavy drums and bass) and more songwriting contribution from all members of the band. The result is refreshing, new, and very successful. From the album's opening, the trademark Galactic instrumental qualities are there--great funk-rock guitar, keys, and fuzzed-out sax and harmonica. "The Moil" is one of Galactic's best instrumentals--if you've heard it live, you'll definitely agree. Songs like "Paint," "Uptown Odyssey," and "Tenderness" show a new pop sensibility previously unseen in Galactic's repertoire. A few of my personal favorites also include "Never Called You Crazy," "The Beast," and "Gypsy Fade." The drums on "Ruckus" are more beat-keeping than on previous, more jazz-funk albums, but they are solid and oh-so-funky nonetheless. Galactic also succeeds at trying different tempos and mixing it up a little with songs that are more like "instrumentals with a couple vocals." The bottom line: if you're a hardcore jambander who only wants to hear the same old 10 minute song with a long solo, Galactic is changing too fast for you. If you're interested in following a smart, creative, ass-shaking band into a new style which comes across as more unique and quality, go for "Ruckus." It won't disappoint, as long as you keep an open mind and ears.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Samey Purists vs. the Futurists, November 20, 2003
Samey Purists: "It lacks the jams and good old-fashioned funkiness of previous endeavors, blablabla."the Futurists: "Go listen to the old albums, then." It's the same old debate any time a band tinkers with their sound. But, as the album cover art nicely illustrates, one can follow the groove, so to speak, or one can branch out. Personally, I always found the grooves of Galactic a bit repetitive (nuanced, passionate, and infectuously danceable -goofy whiteboy style-, but a bit repetitive). If Dan the Automator (whoever that is) is the Man responsible for this change in tack, I'd like to give him a big pat on the back. This is a Galactic for the 21st century: one foot firmly rooted in the Orleans soulful soup of yesteryear and another foot stretching with digital tenacity for the Milky Way.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most surprisingly refreshing departure in years, November 7, 2003
I've been into Galactic for nearly ten years now, and have come to know and love both their live shows and studio releases. While each seemed to build on its predecessor, this is by far their most progressive and risky endeavour to date. Ruckus represents more than a step, but instead a giant leap, forward in the evolution of this talented band of New Orleans muscians. From Stanton to Rich to Jeff and The Houseman, these guys have never sounded better. Air tight, nasty, electro groove funk with some of their best lyrics and balanced production to date, Ruckus has been in my CD player for nearly a week and I'm still hearing great new stuff every time I press play. Please keep it coming.
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