Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies
High expectations greet the releases of projects featuring members of the New Pornographers and “Destroyer’s Rubies” does not disappoint. The songwriting genius of Dan Bejar and his band shines from the ascending riffs and crackling bursts of drums on the opener “Rubies” to the psychedelic elements on “Sick Priest Learns to Last Forever”. “Destroyer’s Rubies” is primarily a pop record, featuring Bejar’s vocals weaving around acoustic guitar and piano melodies. The wide-ranging lyrics (shifting from self-reference to epic narration), combined with shifts in style such as the buzzing hum of “3000 Flowers”, keep the album engaging throughout repeated listens.
While many tend to think of Dan Bejar first and foremost as a member of the New Pornographers, his records and those of bandmates Neko Case, and A.C. Newman should be recognized as more than mere side projects. Albums as strong as “Destroyer’s Rubies” demand to be heard on their own merits. – Jim Kaminski
