Search - Sand Rubies :: Return of the Living Dead

Should have stayed buried

Tim Weber | Iowa | 10/17/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"When a group makes a comeback, there should be a compelling reason besides good fellowship. Hopefully, the band has something to say musically. That does not seem to be the case with the Sand Rubies' "Return of the Living Dead," a strangely passionless, uninvolving and (a first) tuneless mish-mash. It is not completely awful, but we should expect much more from a group that produced the self-titled "Sand Rubies" and, when they were still called Sidewinders, "Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall." Both of those records ("Auntie" especially) were excellent. Be warned: The best track on "Return" does not equal the standards of the worst track on either of the aforementioned discs. The sound of "Return" is a mess. Bass-heavy, cloudy, the production is like a thick, thick soup: seeing the spoon stand up in the bowl is kind of cool, but none of the ingredients have room to breathe. Amazing lack of dynamics. The songs, as mentioned, are not memorable. Not tuneful. Not much of anything (even the two covers) except for "Primevil Love" and even that is almost sunk by the production. The whole album is not so much a different direction as no direction. I finally gave in and purchased this mediocre disc after reading the previous five-star review, thinking, "Well, just maybe they've still got it." To everyone: ignore that review. To the five-star reviewer: Thanks a bunch. I just blew 14 bucks."

Not their best..

gator480 | Cave Creek, AZ USA | 06/07/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"this album is for fanatics only. However, I would recommend "The Sidewinder Sessions" to anyone. It contains some of their best work, and is a personal favorite. Fans should also seek out guitarist Rich Hopkins other projects (i.e. Los Luminarios)."

Great Comeback

Tom Kennedy | Arlington, Va | 04/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read the last two reviews, but strongly disagree. Turn Off Your Stereo, The Loner, Paper Thin Line, Mary, Stranger In Town and Cut you Out are all good songs and Misery is great. There is not a weak song on the CD. If this is the direction these guys are heading (the same direction they've been heading for 10 years!) I'm all for it. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes well written, hard edged pop music. Great lyrics too. If you like Mathew Sweet's Girlfriend, you'll be right at home with this one."