Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies

Genre rock Publisher Merge Records External Links Official Website Merge Records

Finding opposites attract, Destroyer marries oblique lyrics with a direct and extremely literate band. Their third record on Merge, this folk rock group relies on group dynamics to sell the vocal flamboyance of songwriter Dan Bejar. Poetic drama is the subject matter and it fits the tunes surprisingly well for such an flowery theme. Credit must be given to the band which finds a distinct yet rootsy groove, punctuating some strikingly Dylanesque chord progressions. There is a rhythmic grace to the group and some truly fascinating guitar melodies litter about the lengthy songscapes.

Influences announce themselves but remain well unified in the group's sound. The chords of "European Oils" are clearly reminiscent of Blonde on Blonde and traces of The Band can be heard throughout the disc. Bejar's turn at it smacks of The Go-Between's Dylan shtick but the record is so well made these small touches recede into the album's atmosphere.

The vocal delivery is pinched and twisted yet broad in scope, packed with interesting lines but coded meanings. Little lines referencing classic rockers peak though, offering a glimpse as to where they're coming from but little else in the way of literal storytelling. The theatrics Bejar employs in his delivery are reminiscent of Jarvis Cocker, but the musical canvas is rootsier. The long song forms work with this approach and nine-minute songs shift by in decent measure as the vocal drama unfolds in reasonably allotted time. The tunes are expansive, but full of hooks. Bejar's voice travels wide, returning to a fast paced memorable phrase often enough to plant an impression.

The band behind him is tight and vibrant. Reminiscent of great 70s groups like the aforementioned The Band, they also recall Eno at times and at their lowest the era's generic singer songwriter. At it's best they rely on classic chord progressions and appropriately dramatic dynamics. The rhythms move well and the lengthy songs never bog themselves down. The guitars are catchy, full of bright hooks and sounding a very modern take on the classic rock and rootsier sounds of the 70s. The solos are clean and unique, promoting unheard melodies and a warm tone.

The pleasantries (that's really what they are) of Destroyer's Rubies are rewarding. It's not the thriller the dramatic presentation strives for but it does pull a neat trick. Though lyrically there is little to latch onto, they do say something through their musical choices, lyrical melodies and smart progressions. It's a musically enjoyable record, played well.