THE VESTRYMEN Ruby Ranch 1993

 

Discogs

 

Ruby Ranch Review by Jack Rabid

This Northampton, MA quintet (actually, their members reside in three or four different states in the Northeast) now includes ex-Blases keyboard guy Billy Donahue. Geography aside, Ruby Ranch is nicely rounded, with a little bit of garage rock, sterling guitar pop, a little post-punk rhythmic grace, and plenty of finely polished backing vocals. There's a hint of the '60s running through every one of these 18 (18?!?) tracks without soiling their shoes in it. Though the production tends to harness the group where they otherwise might rock out more, this kind of sonic clarity also invites the little tasty touches, the bits of trumpet and guitar, and other well-placed overdubs that enliven the material. A pretty solid, varied LP where material and singing are king.

 

Tracklist

1		3 Kings
2		Backyard
3		Drill Sergeant
4		First
5		The Plastic Hassle
6		Walk Around the Block
7		Greener
8		Visionary
9		Jennifer Cup
10		Oldsmobile
11		The Rage
12		Bookmark
13		Natural Boy
14		Salena
15		Chris' Vision
16		Her World
17		Separation
18		Box of Pictures