Archive for the ‘Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees’ Category
Ruby Jean and The Thoughtful Bees – Review
When I first saw the band name, Ruby Jean and The Thoughtful Bees, I wasn’t initially interested but doing a quick skim through their bio revealed the name Rebekah Higgs as the person behind the alter ego Ruby Jean. I actually had a tough time recalling where I just stared at her myspace page trying to remember exactly where I mentioned her. After figuring that Higgs is quite the hot stuff (she’s like a blonde Jenny Lewis), I realized I heard her on the Oldfolks Home song, I Hate Dell. Actually, more members are known for their work in other bands. Colin Crowell is referred to as the “brains; writing, arranging and producing the beats and bleeps that swarm around the ensemble, and mixing all its component elements live on stage”. He’s actually known as part of the Jon McKiel band which put out a great release this year. The band seems more like a Halifax supergroup.
Though they come from a much different background with their previous works, Ruby Jean and The Thoughtful Bees create a dance and electro type music as they find their inner “Tiga, Daft Punk, MSTRKRFT and 80s-era Madonna”. The most noted thing about these influences is that this music is geared more toward mass consumption then the bands they were previously in. While I’ll be the first say, if you’re looking for popularity, an electro band is the perfect way to go because people are just looking to dance (at least the girls are looking just to dance, and the boys to follow). However, in that sense you also cut off a select group of people who are looking for something more creative.
I do want to like the music with the musicians behind the music being very talented. It just does not work for me. Higgs does do a great job on vocals being a unique front-woman who’s ultimately fearless. While she broadens her talents with this project, she feels underused. She’s literally someone else on the mic as Ruby Jean and I feel that is a bad thing. I hate when people set aside portions of their talents just because a piece of work is supposed to be different. I feel like Rebakah Higgs could stand to use her wide range of talent with this band AND her solo project (we don’t need apples and oranges).
The ultimate problem with this music, simply for electro – it’s boring. I don’t ever feel challenged to listen to this 8 track album. While at times it is a bit ambitious and they do try to use some effects here and there, it stills feels like a drag. I think the problem is that vocally and musically there is no fusion. Only on “Girls You Love” where I am satisfied where everything seems to fit. At times it is ambitious, especially with the track “Danse Danse Resolution”, musically it tries hard but why is Higgs in the background singing only Danse Danse Resolution? Or on the track “How To Win Friends and Influence People” is starts off great with a looped section and Higgs…err Ruby Jean vocals hit a perfect stride until the music just continues being a loop section and Higgs is kind of held out to dry.
(I kind of dislike the remix of I Hate Dell on Herohill’s Manitoba portion of the Canadian Mixtape project, feels like an oversaturation of beats)
This could very well bring out people on the dance floor. But hey, I’m not a dancer.
Rating: 2.75 out of 5
Some of the pieces are there for Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees to be a great band; they just need to put it all together before they appeal to other people not just looking for a beat.
Girls You Love by Ruby Jean and The Thoughtful Bees
Danse Danse Resolution by Ruby Jean and The Thoughtful Bees
