New Ruins straddle a line between something that can be described as twangy country and a tres-cool MOR. It’s somewhat a weird affair when listening to their album We Make Our Own Bad Luck , because you can’t definitely put your finger down on what it is they are trying to do or be. Is it a rockier Iron & Wine? Or a folksier Band Of Horses. In many aspects the Illinois band – which began in 2004 as a somewhat home affair between two guys, Elzie Sexton and J.Caleb Means – seem to sound like they are on a journey of some sort, and this is their third fast step towards somewhat sped up discography. They are already looking to release a 4th LP after We Make Our Own Bad Luck was release a mere 2 months ago over in the US.

New Ruins – Symptoms
New Ruins myspace

Prin 2007 îi lăudam pentru debutul foarte bun cu The Sound They Make, şi speram că se naşte o trupă mişto şi promiţătoare.

New Ruins au revenit cu albumul nr 2 – We Make Our Own Bad Luck - care mă face să mă bucur că am crezut în ei, pentru că sună, în continuare, foarte bine.

Symptoms

Coperta e chiar mai mişto de data asta

Didn’t go? LAME. See what you missed, and a few videos of the performances! Just click, after the jump:

There’s a few things I love about this town — when the weather finally turns to that breezy spring, the (rare) freedom you feel after spending an hour and class and immediately having free time to frolick afterwards, and when everyone gathers together to support a show, a cause, or  an event. In this case, Record Store Day perfectly fit the mold of the latter. There’s always been something about Exile that makes you want to fill your arms with used jazz CDs and pine over the boxes of vinyl for hours, but when the sun is shining, the store is packed and the energy and support of local fans is proved through a never-ending line at the register, it’s easy to be proud of the people who live here, and who understand the importance of independent businesses.

That being said, the day full of performances was wonderful, too, and not just because there was a tray of baked goods (mmm) for all to enjoy during the early performances. Local shop, local show, local tunes, local crowd — it’s the exact reason why I’m so excited for May 3rd’s Bob Dylan Mini-Fest, the next in-store event that will, hopefully, bring the same positivity and wonderment.

Video:

Stan McConnell:

Elzie Sexton:

Well… This was a hard one. The album took about 5 listens to really make a decision on whether I liked it or not. In the end I think I was still a bit undecided, but here it goes…

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New Ruins - "We Make Our Own Bad Luck"

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New Ruins released their first album in 2004 and “WMOOBL” is the follow up. “WMOOBL” is musically very interesting but apart from a few songs it doesn’t really grab your attention, this is where I had trouble in figuring out whether I liked it or not, and I came to the conclusion that like Fleet Foxes last year, I respect the songs they are writing, but in the end it’s not really the music for me.

‘Angry Ghost’ is a song I did really enjoy and does stray away in terms of genre from the rest of the album, if I was to describe it I would probably liken it to an acoustic Animal Collective song. Hats off to the drum beat, it’s an acoustic beat that is intricate and something that you would usually find in trip-hop, the fact that it is recorded acoustically is very refreshing.
The second track, ‘Lake’, is another song that does appeal to me, and at this point I was starting to think that this album was going to be a gem. ‘Lake’ uses an Interpol-esque guitar track, that is one of the few times on the album that the band picks up the electric guitar for a more indie-rock style.

Then the album starts to morph into a very folk-ish style and the slide guitar is given a feature. This is where I quietly left the boat, I do like my fair share of folk music but sometimes it just doesn’t quite click for me. There are some really amazing lap-steel moments and I do like the combination of folk and close to experimental music, but I think the fact that the album doesn’t stay at the same place means that it doesn’t really state an intention like other bands such as Fleet Foxes and to an extent Bon Iver.

This is an album that can’t be disliked, but I don’t think I was the right person to review it, and to be perfectly honest I don’t think the album will be picked up by to many people, for the simple reason of it genre, or lack it one. I do agree with my fellow blogger in that the album is consistent in quality, but I think it needed more of an intent or a direction, to really appeal to lots of people.

I think it’s a good album by an interesting band and I do think that there will be a group of people that think this album is brilliant, I’m not in the right position to really say that, because it’s a too foreign and eclectic genre, for me. If you are interested with what you hear at their myspace, then I would definitely give this a listen, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.

We thought our readers loved our joint reviews so much, that The Enantiomorphic God and Michael Hodder, yes – you guessed it again – are teaming up once more to fight the devilishly desirable “We Make Our Own Bad Luck”. ‘New Ruins’ brings itself back into the limelight with this particularly well-crafted album, good for all listeners, with steady songs, a steady beat, what more could you possibly want?!

"We Make Our Own Bad Luck" - 'New Ruins'

Pardon the image, peoples – I know, I know ‘it’s too small, what’s the point of having a picture if it’s too small?’ It’s there, okay, enlarge your browser, or whatever – come on, you guys. It should just be all about the music, what could be a better pick for a joint review than “We Make Our Own Bad Luck”. Comparatively, “WMOOBL” turns a lighter shade of green next to “Swoon”, but it pulls off an album worth listening to.

I can’t find another band quite like ‘New Ruins’ - here, we’ve basically got someone [finally] that stays within their genre-boundaries. It’s okay to mix and match and experiment with different styles across a number of albums, but I hate it when you get something bluesy, something happy just in one – “WMOOBL”: it has, arguably, a folk-like influence in its cat-strangled guitar sometimes, but balances this out with some simple rock, some easy-percussion and a raspy voice. Its lyrics reflect well on the albums theme [need I discuss that?], but fails miserably in track titles.

Take for instance ‘Angry Ghost’, featuring the lyrics “we make our own bad luck, we make our own bad luck” quite heavily, and you’d anticipate this sort of behaviour in, say, the last track, not the first – or throughout the entire album. But why bother naming this track ‘Angry Ghost’ – tossing the words in the lyrics doesn’t make the track about an Angry Ghost – more fitting is my suggestion ‘We make our own bad luck’. Example: “Day And Age” by ‘The Killers’, who feature their album’s title here and there in various tracks – ” Come on baby, I want a new Day and Age“. ‘New Ruins’ had something going…

Going… gone.

So lyric-wise, I suppose “WMOOBL” was on the right track, sort of. Don’t worry guys, it’s not your downfall. I can’t specifically pull apart each and every track – I’ve listened to “WMOOBL” about seven or eight times, and nothing grabbed me really. It’s good, the least to say. I think ‘Angry Ghost’ and ‘Lake’ , oh, for the heck of it, ‘Arrows’ too – were probably the best ‘New Ruins’ has to offer on this album. After a while, songs start to melt into one and other, and if you zone out, lyrics or no lyrics, guitar or no guitar, you’re not going to remember the middle of this album, just the beginning and the end.

[Strangely, much like 2001: A Space Odyssey]

So, A+ for consistency, ‘New Ruins’. One thing you’ll find on “WMOOBL” is consistency. B+ for uniqueness, sooner or later I’m bound to find somebody like them. Worth a spot on that dusty album shelf of yours, is it worth putting your precious amplifier through this okay-sounding composition???

I reckon, get it – it’s not going to hurt – a modest price, I couldn’t emphasise enough on that aspect. No more than $20 if you can help it. I think a generous three outta five, say, hoola-hoops; just think about it this way – if you love it, you’ll be dancin’! And if you don’t, at least you get some hoola-hoops!!!

Until when,

The Enantiomorphic God

(The 18th Annual Great Cover Up with Robots Counterfeiting Money, Post Historic, The Duke of Uke, Common Loon, Tractor Kings, New Ruins, Agent Mos and Santa)

Click the jump to find out who each band covered, and for photos and video of each performance!

Robots Counterfeiting Money and Post Historic performing as…Andrew W.K!

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The Duke of Uke performing as…T.Rex!

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Common Loon performing as…Madonna!

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Tractor Kings performing as…Steve Earle!

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New Ruins performing as…Guided By Voices!

Video:

(The sound quality of the New Ruins video came out bad, so I didn’t post it. Sorry!)

Agent Mos performing as…A Tribe Called Quest!

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Santa performing as…The Cure!

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I took 1,000+ photos and a few videos of the artists I saw, so instead of holding out until the post is completely done, I’ll be updating the site for the next two days.

Everything is now posted! (Well, except for one Santa video, but that’s on its way.) Click the jump to see photo/video for Lucky Mulholland, Sunset Stallion, Hot Cops, World’s First Flying Machine, New Ruins, Tall Tale, Sangamon, Zmick and Santa!

Click!!

Words:

I was extremely impressed with last night’s show. Even after going to a ton of concerts in town and writing about practically every band in UC for one job or another over the past three years I’ve lived here, I didn’t realize until hopping back and forth between Canopy’s 10th Anniversary smorgasbord of bands just how good local music is here. I obviously think the scene is phenomenal (you know, considering I spend most of my free time working on this bad boy), but to see people in the audience mouth “These guys are great!” as you’re thinking the same thing with every band that starts playing, and to have that sentiment last the entire night? That’s something special.

Hope you enjoy the coverage as much as I dug the show. Happy 10th, Canopy!

Lucky Mulholland (8:00pm):

Sunset Stallion (8:30pm):

This band came out of nowhere, and considering I’m friendly with 75% of its members, either they were practicing in secret or I’m a really shitty friend. (Probably the latter.) Even though they’re fresh to the scene, they were an instant favorite. I’ll be attending their shows as a fan first, and a pal second.

Video:

Sunset Stallion performing at Canopy Club on 5/8/08:

Hot Cops (9:00 pm):

World’s First Flying Machine (9:30 pm):

WFFM were definitely one of my favorites of the night, and I’ll be catching a lot more of their shows from now on.

Video:

World’s First Flying Machine performing “Inefficient Machines” at Canopy Club on 5/8/08:

New Ruins (10:30pm):

 Tall Tale (11:00pm):

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Tall Tale performing at Canopy Club on 5/8/08:

Sangamon (11:30pm):

These guys sound so radio-ready it’s ridiculous. Their recordings are so professional sounding that if I didn’t know they were from UC, I would have thought they were already crazy-famous.

Zmick (12:00am):

Zmick has their shit together. I have to start keeping Monday nights open for their weekly shows.

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Zmick performing at Canopy Club on 5/8/08:

Santa (1:30am):

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Santa performing “Matters” at Canopy Club on 5/8/08:

Finals are over and I’m officially free from the collegiate wrath! Here’s your second installment of tonight’s preview coverage. Click your way to happiness and get pumped for tonight’s festivities!

6:30pm — Angie Heaton

7:00pm — Casados

7:30pm — Hathaways (Kate Hathaway and James Hathaway)

8:00pm — Lucky Mulholland

9:00pm — Hot Cops

10:30pm — New Ruins

11:30pm — Sangamon

12:30am — Tractor Kings

(Photo 4 by Brian Paris; Photos 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 courtesy of artists’ website)

Too Lazy To Read?

Canopy Club 10th Anniversary Celebration and Tribute To Local Bands featuring Angie Heaton (6:30pm), Casados (7:00pm), Hathaways (7:30pm), Lucky Mulholland (8:00pm), Sunset Stallion (8:30pm), The Hot Cops (9:00pm), World’s First Flying Machine (9:30pm), The Brother Whys (10:00pm), New Ruins (10:30pm), Tall Tale (11:00pm), Sangamon (11:30pm), Zmick (12:00am), Tractor Kings (12:30am), Snowsera (1:00am), Santa (1:30am) at Canopy Club, doors at 5:30, $7 cover