On the heels of a very successful first release and even more impressive touring history, Ruth returned in 2008 with their sophomore smash Anorak (a reference to a person who has an unfathomable interest in something and feels compelled to talk at length about it). The band has lived up to the title and crossed the country multiple times delivering a message through their music.
Production duties were handled in part by Aaron Sprinkle (Hawk Nelson, Kutless, Anberlin) and the album was mixed by Ken Andrews (Mae, Thousand Foot Krutch) and JR McNeely (Jeremy Camp, Relient K). Sonically, Ruth takes everything that ruled about ’90s alternative -- Nirvana, Radiohead, Third Eye Blind, Counting Crows -- and peppers in the introspective finesse of singer-songwriters like Ryan Adams and their own extraordinary blend of impassioned, dynamic pop.
“I have always been a sucker for melody,” confesses frontman Dustin Ruth. “I wanted to take all the best parts of my inspiration, combine that with a genuine presentation of my experiences in the lyrics, and write songs that people would remember and be transformed by."
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Anorak: Solid 2nd Album by Ruth| Posted November 13, 2008 According to wikipedia : In British slang an anorak is a person who is an enthusiast interested in information regarded as boring or unfathomable by the rest of the population. Interesting title for a solid 2nd album by Ruth, a great new band on Tooth & Nail Records, following up the very successful debut album Secondhand Dreaming. If you like Switchfoot, The Fray and The Afters, then you should also enjoy Ruth, the last name of lead singer Dustin Ruth, which could also stand for Return Us To Him.
Anorak took me a couple of listens to really hook me with the personal lyrics, similar to the debut. Songs like Hibernation Pieces, Back To The Five and Hearts On Sleeves are examples of catchy songs that sink in deeper with each listen. The same goes for Forgetting To Remember and Nothing To Hide which are truly confessions to God like Cross The Line and One Foot In, One Foot Out from Secondhand Dreaming. Musically, this album is slightly more mellow except for the first single Who I Was And Who I Am and Rolling With The Punches which are great highlights on the album similar to Mr. Turner and You Are. If you liked Ruth's debut album and 90's alternative rock bands Third Eye Blind and The Wallflowers, then you will also enjoy this album, which I do greatly.
FANTASTIC FOREMAN-FLAVORED FOLLOW-UP| Posted November 24, 2008
There’s a young Jon Foreman peeking through the curtain while Ruth’s sophomore album, Anorak, plays the main stage. It’s found in front man and namesake Dustin Ruth’s “yes, ma’am” pleasant delivery. It’s apparent in the budding potential on songs both electric and acoustic. It’s clear in the lyricism of yearning and belonging here that’s also quite prevalent on most Switchfoot albums.
Secondhand Dreaming, the Aaron Sprinkle produced debut, was a fine enough foundation—a decently forgettable album with a couple highlights (see “Mr. Turner”) but primarily ’90s alt-rock retreads. It was a young man playing it safe and crafting what he knows will work. Lucky for us, Dustin Ruth & Co. decided to have a real go at it the second time around.
Anorak completely trumps Ruth’s debut on all counts—from the songwriting to the musicianship and back again. The songs here are tight, mature and entirely enjoyable. “Back to the Five” rides a clever pulse toward an electric chorus that wonderfully utilizes Dustin’s falsetto. “Dead Giveaway” sounds like one of Foreman’s recent solo tracks as a dusty, front porch Americana cut that’s a tender, terrific song. “Nothing to Hide” is emotional and triumphant and features slight Death Cab for Cutie leanings. It’s the perfect show closer and is the most memorable track on an album full of them.
Before this, Ruth was simply one of several “could have been something” bands. Now their time has arrived. Anorak will be, without a doubt, one of 2008’s finest releases. Foreman would be proud. –Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Ruth's "Anarok": A Review| Posted November 04, 2008
by Camaren Stebila
It can be difficult to pinpoint that which separates a “band” from a “good band,” and a “good band” from a “great band.” While originality often divides the “good” from the “great” the qualities which distinct the “average” from the “good” can be quite subjective. Could an arbitrary measure of passion / “epicness” be the sole factor in determining this? What accounted for the Panic at the Disco fan disappointment upon “Pretty. Odd’s.” release, was it simply that they had “changed their style?” No, it couldn’t have been, for if this new style had been perceived for the better it would have brought the success the hype had anticipated.
While it may be obvious to most that music is extremely subjective, there must be a common scale to that which we hold it, or album’s such as Linkin Park’s “Minutes to Midnight” would not have been so ill received by both fans and critics. It’s mediocrity that cries fowl in our ears. Music that doesn’t have a sense of passion, or seemingly lacks purpose is that which is bound to be found in discount racks across music stores.
Ruth’s “Anorak” is the perfect example of said music. Opening the disc is “Hibernation Pieces” a track far from bad, but the embodiment of average. Take the smooth vocals of Aaron Marsh of Copeland, make them a tad monotone and put it over a bed layer of slowed down Sherwood guitar riffs and you have Ruth. Unfortunately most of the album follows suit with the opening track. From “Back To The Five” to “Rolling With The Punches” each tracks just feels bland. Crossing Surrogate and the Plain White T’s is “Miracle Photo,” yet something is missing that made “Hey There Dahlia” stand out from the rest of acoustic love songs.
Most of the lyrics are personal, written in first person. They survey categories from broken relationships, to life and love. This simplicity is an awkward breath of fresh air from groups such as Innerpartysystem or Genuflect, but at times feels like the listener is being subjected to the venting of a torn-apart frontman.
While Tooth and Nail generally sign and release great artists and albums, Ruth doesn’t seem to have the innovation or musical maturity to roll with rest of the roster. Although wanting to be far from overly critical, there is simply nothing that makes “Anorak” stand out. While the simplicity and calm aura that radiates from “Anorak” is a breath of fresh air, the record feels incomplete. If you enjoyed their first release, “Anorak” will likely be up your alley, if not there’s not much new to see here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
Ruth is out of Hibernation| Posted October 29, 2008
Anorak: A heavy hooded jacket. That definition is probably not the one Ruth had in mind while naming their sophomore project but it is probably a reference a person who has an unfathomable interest in something, and feels compelled to talk at length about it. But leaving the title behind good things are expected from the band who gave us the single “cross this line” and a very successful debut Secondhand Dreaming.
Modern pop/rock is a good start on the way to classify Ruth’s music but a comparison to Switchfoot is far more helpful and accurate. The opening song “Hibernation Pieces” has a light pop rock chorus which is very reminiscent of Switchfoot and lead singer Dustin Matthew Ruth’s vocals sound like a softer version of Jon Forman’s voice. Also there are songs that sound like the Afters like the melancholy “Who I Was and Who I Am” and light electric sounding pop tune “Hearts On Sleeves”. “Rolling with the punches” has a catchy tune to go along with a very infectious chorus that has a punk hint to it.
Fans of Switchfoot will love the older school light rock “pure concept” where the bridge sounds uncanny like Switchfoot while the acoustic “Miracle Photo” sounds very much like Jon Forman’s solo EPs. Nevertheless it’s originality that grabs fans to Switchfoot and the same is true about Ruth. “dead giveaway” is a nice smooth light rock tune with a great guitar and a violin; the song also changes tune to add more boost to the final track. The one epic song is “Nothing to hide”, which is a great emotional rock song.
Making a case that the album title, Anorak is about the heavy hooded jacket is the first song “hibernation” which is a longing for God (‘Oh and I've been thinking this year maybe ill be something better/Maybe I'll lose some of this selfish skin…But I don’t mind these changes that time and age might bring us/As long as it brings me closer to you’) and along the same lines "Who I Was And Who I Am" has lyrics about the putting off the old man for the new in Ephesians 4:22-24.
Of course on the other end of the spectrum is “back to five” which the singer spends all of its time lamenting the decision to take his career for God ‘Now I'm stuck here in the Midwest./Try and remember all the things I love/And I'm thinking bout a girl back home/But I know I'm not our here alone’. In “pure concept” the singer’s journey to be pure results in his asking God to ‘Please search my heart make it new’. Ruth does not spend all of their time singing about God as their themes vary from wanting to remember the good things "Miracle Photo" to wanting to love their significant other the right way.
While the light rock tunes are enjoyable and, in a way, original, they are not terribly complex. Throwing in the fact that some of the tune are short some fans may be disappointed and want more. However, very fun lyrics and positive messages propels Ruth, leaving Anorak a great way to enjoy a lazy afternoon.
Take It On The Road| Posted October 21, 2008
I just finished listening to NRT's sneak peak at Ruth's new CD Anorak. First...very interesting title. After looking up the definition, I found I really liked the whole concept of the title. In case you do not already know it, here it is: (This is a wiki definition) In British slang an anorak is a person, typically a man, who is an enthusiast interested in information regarded as boring or unfathomable by the rest of the population. Why a man? That part I am not sure, but I imagine that a devotion to Christ might seem odd and boring. An anorak is also a parka. Pretty cool too because it keeps you warm and toasty during a good ole snowball fight or some other fun chilly weather activities. All good, I say.
I have to say that I had never heard of Ruth before, and I did a little looking up. I read some reviews that had said Ruth was like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Third Eye Blind. I can only say...maybe in their other CD, but that is okay. I loved those bands during their time.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this CD. I have listened to it here at least 6 times already. It is upbeat, and I would totally take it on a road trip. That is my highest compliment. Trust me. I don't put just anything in my car for those long hauls. I seriously think I am going to pick this one up. That is saying something too, because I am really careful about the music I buy. Nowadays financially I really have to be, but this is good. Great cover art too! Just sayin'.
Loved the lyrics, the drums, and the vocals. I wouldn't say every song was amazing, but I liked just about each one. If you haven't checked out the free preview...hurry up and do it before it is too late!
Ruth is fantastic.| Posted October 22, 2008
You can deffinitly tell its Ruth. They have a very unique sound. Even though, they do sound a bit like Switchfoot. I have to say, i would listen to this cd over and over again.
Unexpected ...| Posted October 22, 2008
I've never listened to Ruth before, so I was expecting to have my ears assaulted by blaring guitars, metal drums ... basically heavy metal. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear a cross between a softer Relient K, with the instrumental stylings of Switchfoot. I'm listening to it now ... the vocals sound very Switchfoot and the instruments are Switchfoot, not quite punk like Relient K.
The only thing lacking is the great songwriting skills of Jon Foreman & Matt Theissen. Ruth's lyrics are just a tad sophomoric compared to theirs. But they are definitely a band to follow :)
anorad.| Posted October 21, 2008
anorak is super rad.
ha.
Well, for fans of RUTH, this sound is built upon Secondhand Dreaming, it's so pure. I've heard most of these songs live but hearing this version of the songs makes me fall more in love with the songs.
The lyrics make me realize how amazing God really is, he's everywhere and how I should strive more to see him. The guitars are so lively, it's like they are singing parts of the songs, as well as Dustin's lovely vocals, this CD is just super and fantastic.
Feels like the 50's| Posted October 21, 2008
This is good music, and the lead singer has a nice, easy voice to listen to. However, there are no real "wow" moments. This would be good driving music to zone out to. It reminds me of "That Thing You Do". Thats not a bad thing for me... Overall, its good.
Ruth is better than this.| Posted October 21, 2008
I saw Ruth earlier this year, and they were great. Secondhand Dreaming was a strong debut, so I'd figured they'd step it up a notch on their sophomore album. Anorak, to me, seems pretty dry. While it does have some zest, this album falls into the shadows in an already crowded market.
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