or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
28 used & new from $2.15
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
Sorry!
X
Available to Download Now
 
Buy the MP3 album for $8.99
  
 
 
 
Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool [EP]

Ruby
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) | More about this product
Price: $15.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 10? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
16 new from $12.20 12 used from $2.15
Buy the MP3 album for $8.99 at the Amazon MP3 Downloads store.

Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. beefheart 3:57$0.99 Buy Track
listen  2. queen of denial 3:13$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. lilypad 3:27$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. waterside 3:54$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. lamplight 4:26$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. roses 4:18$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. grace 3:31$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. fly 4:14$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. cargo 3:35$0.99 Buy Track
listen10. sweet is 4:17$0.99 Buy Track
listen11. fuse again 5:00$0.99 Buy Track

Amazon's Ruby Store

Ruby
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Ruby Store

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Salt Peter

Salt Peter

~ Ruby
4.5 out of 5 stars (20) 
Salt Peter Remixed

Salt Peter Remixed

~ Ruby
4.0 out of 5 stars (1) 
Altered & Proud: The Short-Staffed Remix

Altered & Proud: The Short-Staffed Remix

~ Ruby
4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  $22.99
Stroking The Full Length [EP] [CD-Extra]

Stroking The Full Length [EP] [CD-Extra]

~ Ruby
4.7 out of 5 stars (3) 
Black Gives Way To Blue

Black Gives Way To Blue

~ Alice In Chains
4.3 out of 5 stars (193)  $12.99
› Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
  • Original Release Date: 2001
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: EP
  • Label: Thirsty Ear
  • ASIN: B00005AVOD
  • In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,149 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Editorial Reviews

Review

This one is pure indulgence. Sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool. Ruby is the moniker adopted by vocalist Lesley Rankine (of grrl-power Silverfish fame) and producer Mark Walk (Pigface, Skinny Puppy). The duo offers pop vocals with a twist: steady insistence on the groove. Rather than sticking to a certain style, Ruby summons the total package from straight-up rock to disco/lounge, from tricky funk to Latin grooves. Rankine, whose voice is seductively smooth, spans the range from throaty swing to crisp vocal percussion. Her approach is like rap soaked in honey: the chant and the saunter issue forth wrapped up in layers of twist and twirl. (Did someone say trip hop?)

The indulgence part comes from Ruby's self-conscious obsession with the hook. Pop needs its standard bearers, especially when it thumbs its nose at so-called "art." And Ruby does not fall short at all in the craft department. It's the kind of music one doesn't have to suffer to enjoy and I'll admit I enjoy the other kind, too. If you take a moment to absorb the lyrics, you'll discover some strikingly intense, honest, and visceral poetics. Ruby's words on the subject, from "Lamplight":

"If I bear my fruit, and invite the world to see
If I bear my fruit, would you tear it from my tree..."

In this reviewer's opinion, Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool is ripe for the picking. --All ABout jazz


Product Description

Ruby is a duo featuring Lesley Rankine. 'Short Staffed At The Gene Pool' is a marvelous pop album in a trip-hop setting (think of Bjork/Maxwell, etc). It's the sound of the movement and by next week everyone will be doing it-but NOT as well. Rankine surprises not only with stick-in -your-head hooks and melodies but also with a compelling voice, one filled with presence and personality. Brilliant! 11 tracks. 2001 release.
See all Editorial Reviews

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(2)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars classic and brilliant!, September 23, 2003
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.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars I Shouldn't Dwell on the Past, But This is a Disappointment, November 7, 2001
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.)

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Different but still great stuff, May 2, 2001
By Robert Nekic (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is My Honey?
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. Read more
Published on May 12, 2005 by David S. Pryor

1.0 out of 5 stars What the heck kinda spunk is this?
I first heard Lesley Rankine on Pigface's "Notes From Thee Undergound" and fell in love.

Years later I FINALLY learned of Ruby and set out in search of their recordings. Read more

Published on May 7, 2003 by sushiheadface

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait...
After waiting a very long time for a follow up to Ruby's debut cd "Salt Peter" I wasn't sure if I liked "Short Staffed at the Gene Pool" or not. Read more
Published on January 17, 2003 by fullyalive76

5.0 out of 5 stars rewind London 1989
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. Read more
Published on February 27, 2002 by katano mitsuru

4.0 out of 5 stars Lighter and more eccentric this time around
Ruby is Lesley Rankine (ex-Silverfish and occasional Pigface collaborator) and Mark Walk (really talented electronic musician/producer). Read more
Published on July 28, 2001 by John Dennett

4.0 out of 5 stars Lighter and more eccentric this time around
Ruby is Lesley Rankine (ex-Silverfish and occasional Pigface collaborator) and Mark Walk (really talented electronic musician/producer). Read more
Published on July 28, 2001 by John Dennett

4.0 out of 5 stars Not SaltPeter, but good.
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. Read more
Published on July 26, 2001

4.0 out of 5 stars A little softer; a little bit more bizarre...
Ruby's "Salt Peter" CD was a gem. Well defined tuned enriched with disciplined production. No wonder Sony put it out. Read more
Published on July 6, 2001 by time-traveller

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album!
I've played this at least a dozen times in the last two weeks. It's a brilliant album, every track rock solid. One of my top picks for 2001 for sure.
Published on June 27, 2001 by Robert M. Hedin

5.0 out of 5 stars gene-ius
ruby is singing better than ever , cool beats , electronica , even jazz , must buy.......
Published on May 3, 2001

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

SoundUnwound Says...

“Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool opens new browser window by Ruby opens new browser window has hints of Alternative Rock”

Disagree? Cast your vote now! opens new browser window

Share your knowledge and explore the rest of the music world at SoundUnwound.com opens new browser window

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool
77% buy the item featured on this page:
Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool 4.2 out of 5 stars (13)
$15.98
Salt Peter
11% buy
Salt Peter 4.5 out of 5 stars (20)
Stroking The Full Length [EP] [CD-Extra]
6% buy
Stroking The Full Length [EP] [CD-Extra] 4.7 out of 5 stars (3)
Altered & Proud: The Short-Staffed Remix
6% buy
Altered & Proud: The Short-Staffed Remix 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)
$22.99
Explore similar items

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:









i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.