Ruth in the Bardo - You’re Not Missing the Mark, You’re Missing the Point
Julia’s War
Ruth in the Bardo release their second, third?, album on Philadelphia based label Julia's War(run by Douglas Dulgarian of TAGABOW). The band's Spotify bio reads: "southern baptist transcore". Their Bandcamp page reads: "we are glad we are alive and we are glad you are alive and we would like to stay alive but it is not looking so good".
Hearing "Shiver Now" for the first time was something close to a lightbulb moment. As the lead single it opened up the potential of much more to offer on the full-length - a gritty, hazey, sandblasted sound, as well as a harsh vitality. Opening track "Apples and Oranges" confirmed said potential. Waves of cavernous distortion crash in on themselves as the album begins to move.
'I can't stand the apples truth
In my mind'
One bite and life's bark becomes a prominent feature. The world only becomes a more harsh experience thereafter. The sweet hides behind the sour like some masochistic muse. Reeling you into false hope like cheese to a rat-trap.
The seas are somewhat settled on third track "Fisgador". There's an underlying warmth, innocence and sweetness beneath the overt angst and grief. "Pittsburgh" is as lovely as the album gets. The essence of Magnolia Electric Co.'s - Jason Molina's; Songs: Ohia's - "Farewell Transmission" lives inside of the guitar riffs hoot-hoot-like lick.
'You empty, hollow thing'
Manufactured progress. Made to look like the right move. Looks can be deceiving, leaving you exactly where you were, and at times left far behind. Waking up blind - into a world of sensory depravity. Nothing shines forwards; nothing reflects back. The album becomes less actively noisy and energetic as the album ebbs-and-flows through itself - more introverted and gaze-averted.
The woozy sound palette on "PPD" feels bubbly, sickly - lost at sea for an eternity of long nights on the drink, and the hangovers to match. The floor flees from foots grip. Tilted and tangled. Coated in a dreamy haze a Blues lounge feel brings with it a guitar solo that deepens the decay.
"Face Against the Wind" slows and sets a pace which album closer "I'd Thought You'd Notice" bursts out of - it's the sonic embodiment of pulling back to push forwards.
First verse:
'Put that gun away
I can't bare to see it
Put your pain away
I can't bare to see it'
Last verse:
'Put that gun away
I can't bare to use it
Put your pain away
I can almost taste it
And don't you know
That I'm in pain'
Ruth in the Bardo are close to the bone with this album. A little too close for comfort at times. Like watching a close friend wither away, and knowing that there's not much that can be done about it. Do you intervene and get dragged along, or let go and allow life to work its mysterious and rugged raw hands?
Ruth in the Bardo have a few live dates in the US on their "finding the point" tour. It begins in Asheville, North Carolina on September 10th at static age records and ends in Philadelphia on September 19th at minimart.
