"Rankine is a fierce classic, worthy of the most elegant frame."

 

Ruby
Short-Staffed at the Gene Pool
(Thirsty Ear)

Leslie Rankine (ex-Silverfish) strikes again, with Ruby's long-awaited followup album to the brilliant debut, Salt Peter. But this time, the marriage of Rankine's ever-evolving feminism to the sonic explorations of Mark Walk produces an uneven album – perhaps due to rumoured label troubles and other delays. Meandering coos meet Morcheeba-like calm on some tracks, while others rotate around the quiet intensity of Rankine's unique vocal delivery and subtle lyrics.

Short-Staffed is intriguing, interesting, and emotionally intelligent. But the majesty of Ruby deserves better than the tired bleeps and predictable voice filters that occasionally crop up on her new album. Rankine is a fierce classic, worthy of the most elegant frame. –Tiffany Lee Brown

 

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7