Destroye's Rubies

Please, can't someone leak the thing already?!? The fans are impatient. I need me some Bejar!!!

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 4th, 2005. (5 trackbacks)

Answers

Hmmm. I assume you mean "Destroyer's Rubies", no?
Can't wait to hear it myself, as I imagine it'll be at the top of my list for 2006. But I can wait. Dan will release it when he wants it released.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 4th, 2005.

Very excited for this. I never really fell for "Your Blues" but Streethawk remains one of the best (and most underrated) albums of the '00s

-- some best friend (wherewasyo...), December 4th, 2005.

'This Night' is still a mystery to me, thre years after bveing released. It's my favourite Destroyer album because it's still full of unknown stuff; an incredibly dense album.

-- derrick (briochesqu...), December 4th, 2005.

Keep listening. Years from now all will know Destroyer. Bejar is a genius.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 4th, 2005.

that one song that that one dude posted on his blog, "european oils" sounds fucking awesome, excited for the rest of it.

-- brokenfuses (cardboardmedi...), December 4th, 2005.

Can someone please link that blog?

-- some best friend (wherewasyo...), December 4th, 2005.

I still think 'This Night' is the best

-- TRG (trgilmor...), December 4th, 2005.

Streekhawk > Thief > the rest

-- Banana Nutrament (straightu...), December 4th, 2005.

yay, google! http://www.musiccherry.com/archives/2005/12/destroyer_europ.htm

-- krazaaaay (...), December 4th, 2005. (tracklink)

The gimmick on This Night was that none of the songs were rehearsed with the band; they recorded them within days of first hearing them. Further, the band was asembled just for the album, and had no history as a cohesive unit. The arrangements are mostly improvised. That's part of what makes the album so exciting for me; it's barely held together, and is often very scattered and messy. The live shows at the time were magnificent as well; I think I saw that band three times before he moved on to the next lineup.

-- derrick (briochesqu...), December 5th, 2005.

record leaked this evening

oh and "city of daughters"'s the best record, kiddoz

-- mr. holland's opus (icema...), December 11th, 2005.

oh, happiness at this news.
Someone else has my City of Daughters cd and it's the only one I haven't transferred to mp3, bah.

-- rrrobyn (apoemabouteverythin...), December 11th, 2005.

its leaked. thoughts?

-- Stephen Chang (qwerty733...), December 11th, 2005.

I don't love it. But I've never really loved them outside of streethawk. I think Bejar should stick to back up in Carl's band. ha

-- Stephen Chang (qwerty733...), December 11th, 2005.

I don't think we'll hear a better album in 2005/2006.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 12th, 2005.

ok guys.i am waiting to get this...but must ask...how is it?better than your blues?let me know.

-- toppyboopy (crackshac...), December 12th, 2005.

Hard to believe but much better. There's no stopping Bejar it seems.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 12th, 2005.

can't wait can't wait can't wait

-- Clay (cw...), December 12th, 2005.

very psyched to hear this. his last 2 (your blues and notorious lightning) were OK but not anywhere near as good as his best stuff .... "European Oils" sounds fantastic.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 12th, 2005.

A glorious return to form. I'm compelled to spend a lot of time with this album, and I haven't had that feeling with his Merge output to date. I'd be wise to spend some time with "This Night", but I just haven't been pulled in.

-- Brooker Buckingham (brooker...), December 12th, 2005.

Differing opinion here. Not in regards to the general excellence of Destroyer's Rubies, rather the idea that it would not be wise to spend time in all of his albums, from We'll Build Them a Golden Bridge to Rubies. Bejar has this amazing abillity to add more meaning to previous albums as he adds more wood to the fire. I have never been disappointed by him and only come to appreciate everything that came before what I am listening to now even more. The whole body of work is the work of art. Hats off to Mr. Bejar, once again.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 12th, 2005.

I heard a rumour that this may get the ever elusive "10" at pitchfork. Definitely deserves it.

-- Mistyeyedgirl (Mist...), December 12th, 2005.

Four words...Painter In Your Pocket!

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 12th, 2005.

The typo in the thread title is urinating on the face of my OCD.

-- Mugged Outside the Jabberjaw, 1993 (fiestasandsiestas(nospam...), December 13th, 2005.

Everytime I see this thread title it makes me think "Kanye's Diamonds"

-- StanM (Stan10...), December 13th, 2005.

bejar and k. west, that's a hot collabo son, guaranteed club banguhhhh

-- Renard (drenard...), December 13th, 2005.

I'm surprised by all the love here. It just seems as if he's repeating himself - nearly to the point of self parody. All the lyrical tics that were so much a part of his charm (the references, self references, f-bombs, bejar vs. the underground) are really starting to grate on this one. And in the light of this "return to form" the drastic shifts in sound on the last two albums sound all the more refreshing. Necessary, even.

Believe me, I wanted this to be a great album. Just not so convinced that it is yet.

-- dickie goodman (stopstealin...), December 13th, 2005.

Sorry, dickie, but I think only someone with a cursory knowledge of Bejar would claim that he's repeating himself on this one. This is not a "return to form" as he's never had the need and the form constantly shifts. This one is just the next in line of amazing albums, which I believe started with City of Daughters. I too was nervous about what he could do next (after Your Blues) but rest assured he does something new and amazing. Dickie, give it a handful of listens and it'll all start to make sense. Bejar's just getting better and better.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 13th, 2005.

Here's the new album for whoever gets at it first, email me if you need a copy bad and the file is dead. cheers.

http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1VBMMOQI6ZXZA3L4ZCOKPO0VGR

-- Doug Anon (Dwcraigslistano...), December 13th, 2005.

Just heard it. Wow. Shower the love. Best music I've heard in years.

-- rusty (rightasrain...), December 13th, 2005.

Interesting to see the "Your Blues" love on here. I cannot listen to that record, and I'm a huge Prefab Sprout fan for christsakes. I can take bad 80s midi keys and choir patches in the right context.

Which isn't to say there's anything wrong with the songs. There's an immediacy with "Rubies" that Bejar hasn't toyed with in quite some time. I'm all for it.

-- Brooker Buckingham (brooker...), December 13th, 2005.

love of Your Blues and dislike of This Night have both always managed to confuse me. I think This Night is the best one .... closely followed by Streethawk ... Streethawk and Thief probably have the best/punchiest songs but This Night really sets a mood .... Here Comes the Night, Holly Going Lightly, Hey Snow White, Making Angels all great ...

the only great song off Your Blues is It's Gonna Take an Airplane, a lot of the other ones start out good but manage to annoy me at one point or another (e.g. The Music Lovers)

-- Renard (drenard...), December 13th, 2005.

Again, I disagree with the previous post. Your Blues is a beautiful song cycle. Every song is quite beautiful, and taken as a whole, I'm often left speechless.
I've been one who's always perplexed by those who like one of Bejar's albums over any other. They're all distinctly, uniquely Bejar. I couldn't live without any of his albums in my collection. (And I do think he's the best lyricist working in music today.)

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 13th, 2005.

Definite Bruce Hornsby themes popping up thanks to piano man Ted on this album...

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), December 13th, 2005.

I'm always sad to see how little press Bejar/Destroyer gets. He's such a unique talent, more so than anyone else getting major press right now (ie. Arcade Fire). History will be kind to him I'm sure, even if the contempoary taste makers are not.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 13th, 2005.

Does anyone have a cover image for Destroyer's Rubies? Also, who else is he working with on this one?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 13th, 2005.

There's a lot of lyrical references to Your Blues on Rubies. "your blues" is referenced in at least 3 songs, and "music lovers" once.

-- pinder (pinde...), December 14th, 2005.

I'm always sad to see how little press Bejar/Destroyer gets. He's such a unique talent, more so than anyone else getting major press right now (ie. Arcade Fire). History will be kind to him I'm sure, even if the contempoary taste makers are not.

I don't know if he even has a publicist, and he's very, very choosy about whom he grants interviews to.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), December 14th, 2005.

great album Watercolors into the Ocean is brilliant.

-- dodger (lilpeppe...), December 14th, 2005.

hey - can we get a mod to fix this thread title? when this bitch streets, people gon'be postin.

-- petesmith (plsmit...), December 14th, 2005.

just got this yesterday .... sounds great so far ... man the gtrs on the first track could not scream PAVEMENT any louder ....

3000 Flowers is a total jam ...

-- Renard (drenard...), December 14th, 2005.

i kinda wish it was called Rubles

-- that's so taylrr (or...), December 14th, 2005.

aaaah this is great stuff, Bejar and Antony are our Bowies

-- Rizz (joris...), December 14th, 2005.

2006 will be Bejar's year. Of this I am certain. Pitchfork's gonna roll out the red carpet for Destroyer's Rubies.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 14th, 2005.

who are all you people?!

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 14th, 2005.

Bejar posting under different names

-- TRG (trgilmor...), December 14th, 2005.

bow to the awesome power of the bejar-o-matic

http://i-rock.wackiness.org/bejaromatic/

-- Renard (drenard...), December 14th, 2005.

cozen? wtf? who are you!?!
Painter in your pocket is sooooo incredible. Holy shit. What a chorus? Best song I've heard in forever. Damn.

-- littlepepper (lilpeppe...), December 15th, 2005.

Painter in your pocket is incredible for sure. The whole album is glorious. i haven't heard a disc this mind blowing in a long time. It leaves me exhausted in a good way. Gets both my mind and my body moving. And amazingly I don't think we've reached the peak of Bejar's talents yet. This man is a genius. One of the only ones I claim as part of my generation.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 15th, 2005.

dying of happy.

-- rrrobyn (apoemabouteverythin...), December 15th, 2005.

I wouldn't normally do this - join an ILM thread to post a link to my blog - but I've just put up a 2,000-word piece (not exactly a review) about Destroyer's Rubies and I'd love to hear responses from people who've actually heard the disc, who are concentrated in this thread. ... I can't imagine what to add to it right now (except to add that beyond the obvious pick hits, A Dangerous Woman Up to a Point and Looter's Follies, which both get crazier as they go along, should not be overlooked). So here's my whole rant:

http://www.zoilus.com/documents/in_depth/2005/000639.php

-- carl w (cwilso...), December 15th, 2005.

I disagree - Your Blood is the hit! But you know, to each his own.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), December 15th, 2005.

Yeah, the wide variety of picks is hilarious to me - my fave is "Rubies" (up now on Gramophone). I was gonna wait for your thing, Carl, but I got too impatient. (Of course now I see it went up overnight, making my clumsy thing look even more bow-legged.)

-- sean gramophone (sea...), December 15th, 2005.

Destroye West.
And so that one guitar-pick part in "Painter in your Pocket" is "Addiction."

I wasn't into Destroyer until recently, before I went to a New 'Nogs show where the band opened.
From Bejar's setlist, seems he knows most of the "good" songs are on Streethawk.

Despite his theatrical speak, Rubies sounds really good right now.
I mean, there's a drug of choice in his presentation that I can't name. Really sounds nice, though.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 15th, 2005.

And not "despite," actually, because I kind of like the theatrics.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 15th, 2005.

The hits? Painter in Your Pocket is the most obvious and gripping. Watercolours into the Ocean is a close second though. The whole album flows so well.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 15th, 2005.

"From Bejar's setlist, seems he knows most of the "good" songs are on Streethawk."

that was only on this latest tour .... I think it was based on which songs the NP members knew how to play

when he toured for Your Blues with Frog Eyes it was all rock versions of Your Blues songs

-- Renard (drenard...), December 15th, 2005.

Renard, I heard the same thing. The touring band was the band that recorded most of the material with Bejar. Saw this configuration live and was slightly disappointed. Much preferred Bejar with Frog Eyes and also playing This Night.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 15th, 2005.

New 'Nogs

that is totally the best abbreviation of any band yet! beats the 'Mats hands down!

-- that's so taylrr (or...), December 16th, 2005.

Thank you Doug for the Rubies album, excellent work. Love the album, right up there with This Night for me. Remember all, please buy it when it comes out to support Dan! Also, does anybody here have a copy of "We'll Build Them A Golden Bridge?" If so, PLEASE contact me! I've been looking for this album to supplement my collection, but no luck. Would be very grateful if I could get a copy (I'd pay for all fees of course). I'd buy it myself, but it is almost impossible to find. Thank you. My email is zucchinize at yahoo dot com. Thanks again.

-- Mr. 123 (zucchiniz...), December 16th, 2005.

"that was only on this latest tour .... I think it was based on which songs the NP members knew how to play

That makes sense

"when he toured for Your Blues with Frog Eyes it was all rock versions of Your Blues songs."
but if you're touring for a specific record, band's probably gonna showcase said record's songs.

Anyway, I was wrong, because I realize it was an equal mix of Thief and Streethawk. "The Temple" was good as an opener.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 16th, 2005.

"New 'Nogs

that is totally the best abbreviation of any band yet! beats the 'Mats hands down!"

Yeah, defintely way easier to spit out. not my own words though, a friend of a friend lent them.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 16th, 2005.

I'm all about "3000 Flowers" right now, mygod.

-- rrrobyn (apoemabouteverythin...), December 16th, 2005.

"but if you're touring for a specific record, band's probably gonna showcase said record's songs."

true ... main point being though, when he played the Thief / Streethawk stuff on the latest tour most Destroyer fans I know were freakin' out cause they had not heard those songs live very much

but that is also a factor of him not touring so much

I personally am a huge huge Destroyer fan but the two times I have seen him live were not very good

the Frog Eyes thing .... I kinda liked the Your Blues versions but the "reinterpretations" of older stuff, not so much, maybe because it was the first time I saw him and I wanted it to be definitive. the more I loved the song, the more I thought the rework was sort of a travesty. (opening of Helena = HELENA!!!!!!! THE RAMIFICATIONS!!!!!!!)

latest tour I thought they sounded good and the setlist was great (sublimation hour, destroyer's the temple) but some sort of curfew issue in philadephia limited their set to six songs opening for the NP's. although the fact that the NP's gave prominent placement to lots of the Dan songs sorta made up for it.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 16th, 2005.

So you think you're in love? Yes, you probably are. I am. This new Bejar destroys.

-- menard (boydonewrongagai...), December 16th, 2005.

Destroyer and Frog Eyes came to Redding, California about a year ago (2004), which is strange because Redding is a small town of about 85,000, roughly 2 hours north of Sacramento. Redding, albeit a wonderful little city, is the last place I would expect Dan to tour. Anyway, there were maybe 20 people at the coffee house he played (Serendipidy). I'm pretty sure I was the only one who had heard of Destroyer or Frog Eyes as eveyone I talked to was just there for coffee and some "local" music. They played five "Your Blues" songs and Helena from "Streethawk" (A meger $7 cover charge). I just thought that it was so strange he would show up here in Redding!?! Just a rant, just so odd; perhaps Dan should get a new touring agent!

-- rmg (zucchiniz...), December 17th, 2005.

Does anyone else think that "Painter in Your Pocket" may be one of the best songs Dan Bejar has ever coined? Clearly "Rubies" is one of his best efforts to date. For those of you that do not have it yet, here is the link.

http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1VBMMOQI6ZXZA3L4ZCOKPO0VGR

Enjoy. And, again, please buy the album when it come out on February 21st, 2006. Support the artist.

-- rmg (zucchiniz...), December 17th, 2005.

Painter in your pocket is incredible. 2006 is going to be the year of Bejar I tell you.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 17th, 2005.

uh... I don't get it... this thing is awful; you sure you guys are using your ears right?

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

have I stumbled into blog comment box?

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

hi dan!!!

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

sorry, I forgot my sensitivity and liberal relativism for a mo

: /

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

you also forgot to say why you don't like it, and if you're not gonna explain that, well what's the point

or do you always just hang around threads for records you hate, y'know for shits and giggles

-- Renard (drenard...), December 17th, 2005.

: D

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

I'm just bein a dick don't mind me

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

Seriously cozen. What don't you like about it?

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 17th, 2005.

i. VERY VERY boring;
ii. don't like the voice;
iii. don't like the arrangements;
iv. don't like the production
v. don't like destroyer
vi. too off
vii. reminds me of that time I was in an airplane over the sea and I couldn't stop singing VERY VERY boring songs with my bad voice and my bad arrangements, my bad producer and my bad band
viii. no energy for all the energy being expended
viiia. I mean, someone like the mountain goats just has this glitching ferocious energy, you know, for just this one guy
viiib. and a beautiful clarity of intent & approach too

anyway as I said don't mind me I only downloaded it cos I like the muzaky ('your blues'?) record he did but this is nothing like that

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

I apologise if I harshed anyone's buzz

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 17th, 2005.

you didnt harsh my buzz cozen. different strokes.
anyways...I love the voice, love the arrangements, love the production. And, of course I love destroyer. I love everything he's done and think that Destroyer's Rubies may be his strongest work to date. I would like to find something to criticize about it, but really as much as I try I can't. I think it will rightly deserve the 10 that I heard pitchfork is planning on giving it in its review.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 17th, 2005.

luv watercolours into the ocean something very pavement about the guitars on this one

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 18th, 2005.

I gotta say, cozen is pretty much on crack for not liking this record but reason #5 is total genius:

"don't like destroyer"

if everyone would just get to the point like that.... !!

p.s. I'm not being a jerk, that made me laugh hard

-- Renard (drenard...), December 18th, 2005.

"...I thought the rework was sort of a travesty. (opening of Helena = HELENA!!!!!!! THE RAMIFICATIONS!!!!!!!)"

I can imagine the manic desperation. Oo, wince?

So I listened to Rubies a few more rounds, and I can't say it's my fav.

"viii. no energy for all the energy being expended"
It still sounds pretty nice, but I think I agree with cozen on this point.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 18th, 2005.

I just don't get point number viii. What does that mean exactly in relation to this album? I feel this album is bursting with energy expended and delivered. So emotional. So wonderful. So full of life. I love this album.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 18th, 2005.

Where can I find this one?

-- michelinman (summersendles...), December 20th, 2005.

i put two tracks on my blog this morning. plus a short blurb where I foam at the mouth about how much I like it.

threethreefourfive.blogspot.com

I'm kinda curious, does anyone who's heard it agree with this dissent from way up above?

"All the lyrical tics that were so much a part of his charm (the references, self references, f-bombs, bejar vs. the underground) are really starting to grate on this one."

the lyrics really are a self-referential funhouse mirror kinda thing, even moreso than on previous albums .... I've kinda been thinking about what it says about ME that I get so hyped up about a record where the message of many of the songs seems to be, "this is a song about the travails of Dan Bejar making a new Destroyer song." Ultimately I decided I can hang with all the meta stuff, it's fun -- y'know, "Adaptation" was a good movie! But I can see how some people wouldn't like it.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 20th, 2005.

also I gotta credit the Zoilus essay linked up above or I never would have thought of half this shit

-- Renard (drenard...), December 20th, 2005.

A real self-referential Bejar composition would be lyrically concerned with the many travails of baby-sitting.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), December 20th, 2005.

sorry, i downloaded this not having heard destroyer before and i have to agree with cozen. it wasn't so much that i didn't like the record it was more like it was causing me physical pain to listen to. i HATE the sound of the guys voice an all that rushing-to-get-the-superclever-line-in-cos-i-know-it-doesn't-fit-here delivery just made me wince. i can't remember the last time i've disliked any music this much.

-- jed_ (colin_o_har...), December 20th, 2005.

actually i can, it was lifter puller.

-- jed_ (colin_o_har...), December 20th, 2005.

ha ha ha!!! makes sense, Lifter Puller is pretty much my other favorite band

-- Renard (drenard...), December 20th, 2005.

neither of which I liked on first listen btw.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 20th, 2005.

can anyone point me to this supposed Destroyer drinking game?

-- that's so taylrr (or...), December 20th, 2005.

even better than bejar-o-matic...

http://www.catbirdseat.org/bejar.html (always refresh)

-- that's so taylrr (or...), December 20th, 2005.

http://www.zoilus.com/documents//2005/000639.php#more

Not so much a drinking game as an "if you really did this you'd be drinking several times per second" game. But still funny.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 20th, 2005.

god, i can't read. thank you

-- that's so taylrr (or...), December 20th, 2005.

that bejar-o-matic is great - like The Caterer!

-- roger (vlad62...), December 20th, 2005.

This has to be the best album I've heard in 2005. Why is Bejar not the sensation that he should be? He is what the world needs now. Articulate, insightful, blessed with the gift of catchy and deep arrangements. This man is brilliant.

-- meshgearfox (mlfyouisstron...), December 21st, 2005.

beautiful Beautiful beautiful I'm in love with this man.

-- michelleh (howardsen...), December 22nd, 2005.

there is an user on the soulseek test version
that has the album among his files
the user name is "smoke crack"
donwload it right f**king now
it's really great

-- zen terrorist (zenterroris...), December 22nd, 2005.

I don't believe yous

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 22nd, 2005.

Rubies is so multifacetedly brilliant I don't know what to do with myself. Can't stop listening.

-- timeoutchair (timeoutchai...), December 24th, 2005.

Hi Dan!

-- TRG (trgilmor...), December 24th, 2005.

Dan would never say something so inane. He'd be much wittier and you'd swoon under the power of his words, TRG.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 24th, 2005.

"multifacetedly," "swoon" ...

Merry Christmas, Dan!!

-- TRG (trgilmor...), December 24th, 2005.

Oh! Is Dan really reading these messages? Wow. Dan, I love your music. Thanks so much for making it for all of us fans out here. Thanks.

-- martinique (marinroug...), December 24th, 2005.

oh god

-- cozen (skiplevel...), December 24th, 2005.

aye

-- jed_ (colin_o_har...), December 24th, 2005.

Pre-season rankings starts out "Rubies" at No. 1 for 2006.

-- drewo (drewolewnic...), December 25th, 2005.

And how! no. 1 for certain. And I think it'll retain this position. Unless, of course the new Danielson blows us all away...

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 27th, 2005.

Hey did you hear that Pitchfork may give this the elusive "10"?
I'm practically shitting myself with glee!

-- Forksclovetofu (forksclovetof...), December 27th, 2005.

it's his best since streethawk, that's for sure.

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), December 27th, 2005.

Since Streethawk?!? It's his best since Notorious Lightning and Other Works...
I can't think of one album he's released that's not brilliant.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), December 28th, 2005.

I stumbled on this blog or comment page but since I am here does anyone know where I may find Destroyer's "We'll Build Them a Golden Bridge" either to purchase or download? I own all of Destroyer's albums other than the one mentioned above and "Ideas for Songs" and am a big fan. Albeit, I still have not been to any of the shows since he hasn't come close to where I live. And the truth ismy friend introduced me to Destroyer about 3 months ago and I think my appreciation of music has changed since then. Dan Bejar is the Noam Chomsky of Rock. Destroyer's Rubies is excellent.

-- Robert Ivkovic (RobertIvkovi...), December 29th, 2005.

Don't knock Your Blues either. Without Your Blues there would be no Destroyer's Rubies. The new one flows flows flows. So good. Definitely deserves the "elusive 10".

-- littlepepper (lilpeppe...), December 29th, 2005.

Dan Bejar is the Noam Chomsky of Rock.

The most uninviting description of a musical artist I can imagine, no matter how brilliant you think Chomsky is.

-- regular roundups (daphim...), December 29th, 2005.

Thank you for saying that. I wanted to italicize that particularly distasteful quote myself.

I checked out some of the streaming audio at the Merge website - unimpressive. All of you gushing fans are on fuckin' 2CB or something. I did like it more than Sufjan's Illinois, gotta say.

-- sleeve (sleev...), December 29th, 2005.

hahaha

"I checked out some of the streaming audio and shall now deliver my verdict"

well done old bean

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), December 29th, 2005.

I think people who have been following Destroyer up to this point will love Rubies

People who previously hated Destroyer / were indifferent / have never heard Destroyer before will probably still hate it / not care / hate it

-- Renard (drenard...), December 29th, 2005.

Renard, do you really think that's true? It seems destined for mass appeal, no? At least major indie breakthrough (i.e. Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, etc.). It's got the hits, the flow, the beauty, the intellect. And after pfork gives it the 10 rating, the sales will result with all those folk who buy things based on pfork ratings. It is a brilliant album and it's going to make Bejar a household name. At least the households of my friends.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 29th, 2005.

oh the TEN rating

-- Forksclovetofu (forksclovetof...), December 29th, 2005.

Hits? The only song that seems appropriate as a single is "Painter in Your Pocket," and I don't see that being super huge or anything. I think that this will be Destroyer's commercial breakthrough, but I think the stakes are much lower than that of Arcade Fire or Franz Ferdinand, much less Spoon or The New Pornographers.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 29th, 2005.

i don't really see any evidence that this album will do any better or any worse than his other albums

-- s1ocki (slytus...), December 29th, 2005.

i'm with Flux on this one.

it will definitely likely garner his best reviews yet (at least in the grand scheme). not saying i think it's his best (yet), but with New Pornos gaining a lot more interest/fans this year, Destroyer are going to sell a few more records in '06 as a result.

-- solace (solac...), December 29th, 2005.

the buzz alone makes me think it will, s1ocki... even if it's just that more critics in the dailies will write it up, that will translate to some sales.

but matthew otm w/r/t the 'level' of sales. Destroyer is not the Postal Service.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), December 29th, 2005.

yup

he'll go from selling 15-20k albums to maybe 45-60k with this record is my guess

-- solace (solac...), December 29th, 2005.

roffle at the 15-20 estimate for the last few Destroyer albums, ppl have a really inflated sense of what indie records sell in these post-Postal Service times I guess

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), December 29th, 2005.

I'm guessing that it'll be in the middle or lower end of next year's Insound bestseller list.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 29th, 2005.

or middle-lower end!

-- s1ocki (slytus...), December 29th, 2005.

Mr. Straight, you're right, after i posted that i realized it's probably closer to 10-15k at best for even his most popular releases, my bad.

-- solace (solac...), December 29th, 2005.

I can see this record doing about as well as the new Animal Collective album.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 29th, 2005.

the demographic for all this corny indie is the same, see: tynan delong

-- cutty (holle...), December 29th, 2005.

Cutty is pretty much OTM.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 29th, 2005.

"It seems destined for mass appeal, no?"

no. for the reasons everyone else said. plus his voice is crazy weird .... I'm used to it now and like it but you can't really underestimate that.

I really doubt any Destroyer record has sold 10K.

But I do think it will get the most attention / best reviews of any of his albums.

-- Renard (drenard...), December 29th, 2005.

what does everyone else think? guys?

-- s1ocki (slytus...), December 29th, 2005.

i don't get the big deal. guess i have to listen to it again... i'm wondering if there are really that many destroyer fans out there, or if there's just a few really intense destroyer fans

-- sovietpanda (sovietpand...), December 29th, 2005.

I do not know of many Destroyer fans. My friend introduced me to Destroyer and he is a loyal fan as is his siter.

-- Robert Ivkovic (RobertIvkovi...), December 29th, 2005.

His sister I meant.

-- Robert Ivkovic (RobertIvkovi...), December 29th, 2005.

But the coveted TEN

-- Forksclovetofu (forksclovetof...), December 30th, 2005.

Needless to say, I think this thing is going to blow up. When I saw the New Pornos this year, it was the Bejar songs that got the crowd hopping and singing along. Bejar was the star of the show. With all the hype following the Canadian music scenes, Bejars definitely ready for the big time. I think one song embraced by one of those damn OC characters and he's golden. 2006 - the year of Bejar. (And, yes, he deserves it. Destryoyer's Rubies is one of the best albums I've heard in my short lifetime. Never gets old. A classic.)
And, yes, Painter in your Pocket screams single! Hope it tops the American charts in February. (A girl can always dream, right?)

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 30th, 2005.

I was never really into Destroyer, but understand now why people are/were. Rubies is, like marybeth said, a classic. After hearing it, I went out and bought everything else I could find by Destroyer. It all makes sense now and I have a deep respect for his gift with the english language. It's a classic without a doubt.

-- michelinman (finalfantas...), December 30th, 2005.

Destryoyer's Rubies is one of the best albums I've heard in my short lifetime. Never gets old. A classic.

Um, not to be the one who is only here to correct the descriptions of the album, but um... how can one say an album never gets old that hasn't even been properly released yet? This is the kind of thing that, rightfully, leads to backlash. And I like Destroyer.

-- regular roundups (daphim...), December 30th, 2005.

Seriously. I'm with regular roundups.
It's still in utero, right?
Anyways, can someone correct the thread title? Destroye's Rubies is just not working for me.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), December 30th, 2005.

I would doubt that Destroyer will get a 10 on Pitchfork if just for the fact that I like it. That seems to jinx everything.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

When I saw the New Pornos this year, it was the Bejar songs that got the crowd hopping and singing along.

Oh yeah? I didn't realize that he wrote "Sing Me Spanish Techno," "The Laws Have Changed," "Mass Romantic," and "Letter From An Occupant."

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

I would doubt that Destroyer will get a 10 on Pitchfork if just for the fact that I like it. That seems to jinx everything.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 29th, 2005 5:27 PM.

bro, you're like the black cat to indie rock's chicago cubs ;-(

-- gear (speed.to.roa...), December 30th, 2005.

matthew, really, when i saw them. ive never seen the crowd get so excited for a song when they played jackie dressed in cobras. The crowd went wild, much more so than the songs you listed.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 30th, 2005.

I'm not gonna front. I'm 16. Never heard of Destroyer before. Just looked into the thread and decided to listen. Holy shit. Where did this band come from? I'm gonna spread this shit like a virus amongst my friends. It floored me.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarechea...), December 30th, 2005.

Marybeth, where did you see them?

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

I should probably mention that I've been listening to this album all the time lately, it's really addictive. It suits the mood I've been in, and it's sort of ideally suited to this time of the year. I was never really into Destroyer before seeing them open for the New Pornographers, and I'm just absorbing the rest of the catalog just now. As it stands right now, this one is my favorite, followed by Thief. I still don't particularly care for Your Blues.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

I really am enjoying this new Destroyer. I wasn't a huge fan before, but I'm a huge fan now. It really is a crystallization (sp?) of all that is wonderful about Bejar. The self-references, the references across the pop/rock history board, the lyrical flow. And it makes me want to sing along. You can't beat an album that makes you want to belt it out with the lead. Soooo goood. I've been listening to it pretty much constantly since I "found" it. Can't wait until it's finally unleashed. Good stuff.

-- insoundluvr (johnsonmikae...), December 30th, 2005.

so how you think it's gonna sell?

-- s1ocki (slytus...), December 30th, 2005.

Better than every Destroyer album ever, yes.

But that just means it's going to sell at all. (I haven't checked with Merge but I'd bet few Destroyer albums ever cracked 10K.) I'm guessing 30K, and 40K certainly at the utmost, over the course of the next year, counting the ones that it will sell when it ends up on a ton of year-end lists next year.

But that's enough to give Dan a viable career, so that's great.

But yeah, I think true Destroyer fans also have to beware the overhype - not that I haven't already gone pretty far in that direction on Zoilus, but at least I didn't say "a timeless classic." Most people are still going to hate Destroyer. ... Although, it's true, in Toronto for the New Pornos', the jumping-up-and-down for "Testament to Youth in Verse" was pretty amazing.

-- carl w (cwilso...), December 30th, 2005.

he didn't write letter from an occupant, newman did. don't get all the love for this album. it's good and all, but i'm sort of feeling like people are congratulating themselves for liking mr. defensive obscuro guy. it's like when russell crowe won an oscar for gladiator when his performance was way better for the insider, back when no one knew who he was.

-- this post is a parody (thispostisaparod...), December 30th, 2005.

Carl, I agree. Let's not overhype. It is a classic however. In any case, carl, let's get an article in the NY Times, yes? I know you have the power. If anyone deserves it, it's Dan.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 30th, 2005.

I know that AC Newman also considers Bejar the best songwriter of his generation. Overhyped? Sure. But so deserving, like many others have said. Destroyer's Rubies will weather whatever backlash it receives. And after it gets all the 10s and the 5 stars and the two thumbs up, Bejar will be laughing to the bank, and the hearts of many. I think we should gush now that we finally have an album thats worth gushing over. Dan's my man. I hope he does well with this one.

-- mygemini (newpornosfan...), December 30th, 2005.

countdown to destroyer slash fiction...

-- gear (speed.to.roa...), December 30th, 2005.

Previous to Destroyer's Rubies, I admired Destroyer, loving the hell out of some Bejar songs ("I Want This Cyclops", "Testament to Youth in Verse", "Strike", "Trembling Peacocks", "Notorious Lightning"), respecting the records, but never falling head-over-heels. I'm not a big New Pornos fan, either - solid albums all, but I'm not sure that they've ever cracked my year-end lists.

But this one - my gosh! It's, like I've said, so beautifully fucking jubilant, so ripe for relishing, so breathless and clever and unabashedly big. There's no frontin', no trying to love something you merely like: it's fantastic.

I tried to pitch a feature review to the magazine I write for, here, and somebody had already snagged it. I mention this only because the editor remarked wonderingly at our voracity for the subject-matter, given that for him it was "nothing special", that he "just [didn't] get it". I think this is something to note, in all this talk of blow-ups. This Destroyer album is not categorically different from the ones that preceded it, and as with Frog Eyes, I don't think that people who are immune to the appeal will suddenly be blindsided.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), December 30th, 2005.

he didn't write letter from an occupant, newman did.

Dude, I know which ones Carl wrote, I was just being a dick because a hopeless Newman partisan.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

Sean, in what ways does this sound so much different than the rest of the Destroyer discography? I think it sounds a lot like This Night, which I like very much, but I'm having a hard time seeing this as the immediate brilliance that everyone is claiming it is. Where is the epiphany that I'm missing?

-- regular roundups (daphim...), December 30th, 2005.

Can someone give me a list of all the Bejar songs from the New Pornographers' catalog? I haven't heard a whole lot of NP stuff (and I haven't heard Rubies), but I am pretty sure -- based on Your Blues and "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras" -- that I like him a lot more than Newman.

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...), December 30th, 2005.

xxxpost
Sean, OTM.

I passed Rubies, Theif, and Streethawk to an NP fan, and he gave me the same sort of response as that editor--besides the typical, "Bejar was never my favorite NPer," he just didn't get it. "What's the big deal?"
People have different tastes, of course, but, I still wanted to shake him and demand 'what is wrong with you?'

So despite the dutiful praise upthread, I'm sure this record isn't going to reach such great heights.

Bejar amazes me. He is immediately so blatant...but so subtle? His output has this simple-comlex contrast to it and I take it that this overall complexity accounts for the majority of the Destroyer-dismissals. Because despite the odd vocal pitch, with even just a little patience, the melodies should be accessible to any halfwit. you don't have to look *that* hard.
Even my Britney-toting sister was enamored with "Queen of Languages" upon first listen.

Anyway. low sales prediction.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 30th, 2005.

ehh *Thief

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), December 30th, 2005.

Bejar songs from the New Pornographers' catalog

Jackie, To Wild Homes, Execution Day, Breakin' the Law

Testament to Youth in Verse, Chump Change, Ballad of a Comeback Kid

Jackie Dressed in Cobras, Broken Breads, Streets of Fire

-- Renard (drenard...), December 30th, 2005.

regular - Rubies is the same -genre- as This Night - that is, noisesome indie rockin' weirdness. But there's a relishing of melody here, jumping from one jewel-like songfragment to the next... This Night makes me think of a band loose in a warehouse, bits of song coming clanging in from who-knows-where. The new one feels much more like a bombastic all-together-now, let's lead a parade/dip into the sea/erect an art deco skyscraper. Does that make any sense?

-- sean gramophone (sea...), December 30th, 2005.

sean, well put. This Night is Bejar's shambolic masterpiece (similar to Maher Shalal Hash Baz's Return Visit to Rock Mass). Your Blues was a modernists wet dream (ala Scott Walker 1 through 4). Rubies seems to pull together all of Bejar's strengths. It's an all consuming record. It is truly a gem - whereas it's both beautiful as an entity unto itself and also something to examine slowly and in detail, admiring all of its many facets.
I can't wait to see the cover, packaging, etc..

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 30th, 2005.

Thanks, Renard!

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...), December 30th, 2005.

the amount of purposeful hyperbole on this thread is sickening

-- cutty (holle...), December 30th, 2005.

o surely you can forgive it, cutty. it's fun to find a record you really really like.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), December 30th, 2005.

i love destroyer but i'm kinda with cutty (if you hadn't already guessed)

-- s1ocki (slytus...), December 30th, 2005.

Don't get too excited about the cover art, it's not that impressive or anything.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

: ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : ( : (

-- gear (speed.to.roa...), December 30th, 2005.

In fairness, the promo copy that I have does not have the official packaging, though it does feature a small version of the front cover along with the text info. I think the cover is just sorta okay, nothing really stunning. Maybe I'll scan and post it here later for the Dan Bejar superfans.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 30th, 2005.

Please post Matthew. Can't wait to see the cover.

-- lilpepper (littlepeppe...), December 30th, 2005.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 31st, 2005.

Actually, the cover is pretty nice, kinda Crewdson-ish. It's really tiny on the cd insert, so it's kinda hard to get the feeling across. It suits the album enough, anyway.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), December 31st, 2005.

I kinda like the cover too. Can't wait to see it for real.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), December 31st, 2005.

Marybeth - There was actually a New York Times article when This Night came out. It wasn't an interview, more like an extended review. By Neil Strauss.

Unfortunately, I would see myself being in a conflict of interest to pitch a profile to the Times. (Dan's sister is one of my oldest friends, and I know him fairly well for that reason. I don't worry about this when it comes to blogging, and since for the first while his music was what motivated me to get to know him better, I didn't worry about it for Canadian press, but I feel like a line got crossed somewhere in the past few years.) I'm hopeful that somebody else will put it to the Times, though I doubt it'll be any of the staff writers. Anyway, I suspect overall there will be plenty of coverage.

Still, I think I got a little irrationally exuberant with my sales prediction yesterday. Probably more like the 20K range at the most.

-- carl w (cwilso...), December 31st, 2005.

Wow. Just got this from a friend. Incredible. This may be the best thing I've heard all year. I think I'm in love. Carl, is he single? :)

-- michelleh (helioswonderful...), December 31st, 2005.

A friend recently told me that Destroyer will be performing at the South by Southwest concert in Austin, Texas. This year's dates are March 10-19. Ihave never attended the South by Southwest concert so I ask all those who have, if Destroyer will be performing every day or if they have a day set to perform and how many songs does a band usually play at these types of concerts? I am planning to travel to Austin this year with some friends and would appreciate any information some of you may contain about this conert. Thank you.

-- Robert Ivkovic (RobertIvkovi...), January 1st, 2006.

Rubies...the first album of my new year. Thanks Dan. I wish you much success this year. Cheers.

-- meshgearfox (meshgearfo...), January 1st, 2006.

Robert, South by Southwest is a weeklong festival. It's kind of a nightmare - if you don't buy the full week pass (and sometimes even if you do), you can have a VERY hard time getting into show. You should have a look at the South by Southwest website for more information.

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), January 1st, 2006.

Usually each band does about a 30-minute set at SXSW. It's a fun time but if all you mainly wanna do is see Destroyer you'd probably be better off catching them on their own tour.

-- Renard (drenard...), January 1st, 2006.

Mr Straight Toxic and Renard are correct - Destroyer is extremely likely to play Austin on their regular tour, go see them then.

-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), January 1st, 2006.

rumour is that Destroyer will be joining Magnolia Electric Co for all their dates...

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 1st, 2006.

How about someone sets me up with some sxsw tickets so I can go?

-- Stephen C (qwerty733...), January 1st, 2006.

heard a couple of tracks. gorgeous! y'all should just move to vancouver and you could see him all the time.

-- Freud Junior (freud.junio...), January 2nd, 2006.

i think i am the first canadian to say 'y'all'.

-- Freud Junior (freud.junio...), January 2nd, 2006.

I live in Knoxville, Tennessee and here in Knoxville, not many people have heard of Destroyer besides my friend and his sister. Since, I first hear Bejar's voice on Streethawk: A Seduction, my whole perspective on music changed. Not a large quantity of Indie Rock artists visit Knoxville so I was hoping that for Spring Break I would travel to Austin.

Honestly, I want to see only Destroyer perform. I will wait until I turn 18 and perhaps take a trip to Vancouver. I hear it's a beautiful city. Thanks for everyone's respone to my question.

Cheers to all Destroyer fans and Dan Bejar himself. Hopefully Rubies will bring Bejar and his band members a lot of success.

-- Robert Ivkovic (RobertIvkovi...), January 2nd, 2006.

Yeah, Vancouver rocks, aside from 10 months a year when it rains every day (like today). Drop by and join the party. Go see a Canucks game (that's hockey talk).

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 2nd, 2006.

I just looked at the 2006 tour dates for Magnolia Electric Co on there website and it says plain and simple that Destroyer is playing a number of shows with them. Sadly, it doesn't look like they'll be swinging through California...

-- Eric Evans (Southbound28...), January 2nd, 2006.

is this entire thread a parody? i mean it is destroyer. come on.

-- keyth (keythkeyt...), January 2nd, 2006.

very funny keyth. you're a card.

2006 will be the year Destroyer takes over the world.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 2nd, 2006.

Bejar is the most literate, most intelligent songwriter in music. He makes me love the english language in a way that other songwriters can't touch. No one can turn a phrase as well as this beautiful man.

-- littlepepper (lilpeppe...), January 2nd, 2006.

this album haunts my sleep, injecting its infectious beauty into my dreams. i always awake with a smile on my face.
(the dan bejar poster above my bed doesn't hurt either! i'm just waiting for it to come to life and kiss me...)

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 3rd, 2006.

Dan Bejar will defeat the forces of hypocrisy, apathy and ill will in 2006!

His fingertips have raised the dead, allowed the blind to see, the lame to walk...

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 3rd, 2006.

I WASN'T ABLE TO READ BEFORE I HEARD DESTROYER.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 3rd, 2006.

weirdos

-- cutty (holle...), January 3rd, 2006.

Being fans of Destroyer is yet another thing that S1ocki and director/actor Don McKellar have in common. So, so, much more than that, really.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 3rd, 2006.

the funny thing is don mckellar & i both made the EXACT SAME sales predictions for this album!

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 3rd, 2006.

can someone repost the yousendit link? pretty please?

-- sweet cuts (fantasyremick...), January 3rd, 2006.

Without Destroyer, my life would mean nothing.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 3rd, 2006.

Listening to Destroyer taught be how to read.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 3rd, 2006.

I was blind, but thanks to Destroyer, now I can see. And I embroidered Destroyer on my jeans too.

-- chanm (marshallhom...), January 3rd, 2006.

Destroyer cured my diabetes! Now I have a fully functioning pancreas. Thanks Destroyer!

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 3rd, 2006.

maybe this thread should merge with the "unrequited love / stalker songs" thread

-- Renard (drenard...), January 3rd, 2006.

but seriously..already, 3 days into '06, I think this beats out anything from 2005

-- Space Is the Place (tuffgnarl...), January 3rd, 2006.

I hear some Robert Forster (Go-Betweens) in this here Destroyer.

-- drewo (drewolewnic...), January 3rd, 2006.

Really? I don't hear Forster at all!

Nor do I think it beats A LOT from 2005.

-- TRG (trgilmor...), January 3rd, 2006.

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 3rd, 2006.

has anyone come up with a list of references to other bands lyrics in Rubies yet? so far i've got:

"Oh, life is bigger" in Watercolours into the Ocean which I think is a ref to the same line in R.E.M. - Losing my Religion.

Also, I suspect this is the reason flux likes this song.

-- pinder (pinde...), January 3rd, 2006.

OK, I was resisting posting here because the hyperbole has gotten out of hand, but I concur after spending a solid week with this record that it is indeed very close to a masterpiece. Easily his best record, too!

For what it's worth - a little gossip. A fairly well-known indie folkie or folk band had an entire new album in the can, and after hearing Rubies, they scrapped the whole thing and started from scratch, pissing off everyone at the label and costing themselves hundreds of dollars.

-- Indie Fuxor #111 (anonym...), January 4th, 2006.

Indie fuxor, tell us who! You can't tease us like this and not deliver the punchline. Rubies is a masterpiece.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 4th, 2006.

ok that gossip is worthless (and hilariously hyperbolic) unless you tell us who it is. yes you can do so anonymously.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 4th, 2006.

the decemberists

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

"Destroyer's Rubies" -- Album of the Century!

Seriously anyone who doesn't like this album probably is a Nazi.
OK no, but the songs I've heard a couple song and they're great.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

or whatever i was trying to say.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

"It was a welcome sight in opposition to another vision of a prophetess, East-van punk"

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

I think this may be the Nevermind of the early 21st century. Heads are gonna turn and then roll, and then Destroyer's gonna kick em around like a soccer ball. I can already see the legions of girls with Destroyer embroidered on their jeans. Tshirts on all the junior high school boys. It'll be a revolution, finally eliminating the crap heard on popular radio.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 4th, 2006.

i think there is one poster in this thread posting under 20 pseudonyms.

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

very funny cutty. was it really the decemberists?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 4th, 2006.

Seriously, the wtf praise on this thread has me wondering if each promo copy came with a big sack of booger sugar or something

-- Drew Daniel (mces...), January 4th, 2006.

no idea marybeth

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

It isn't the Decemberists but you're not far of

-- Indie Fuxor #112 (anonymo...), January 4th, 2006.

haha I'm wondering if this is supposed to be ME, who haven't been near a recording studio in almost two years

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), January 4th, 2006.

I think we should have two threads: one for "serious" discussion of Destroyer's new album and one for mindless wanking about how great and genius it is.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

But before that happens, I must mention that Destroyer cured my epilepsy!

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

So, this Destroyer chap is the Arcade Fire/M.I.A./Wilco/LCD Soundsystem of 2006, then?

-- Mr. Snrub (mistersnru...), January 4th, 2006.

Destroyer eats Arcade Fires for breakfast. Who the hell like Wilco, anyway?

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

this thread is insane. the destroyerbot has gone beserk!

-- scott seward (skotro...), January 4th, 2006.

Who the hell like Wilco, anyway?

Just about every rock critic in the entire musical universe back in 2002, apparently.

-- Mr. Snrub (mistersnru...), January 4th, 2006.

This indie folkie or folk band's album only cost *hundreds* of dollars to make? I was going to guess the shins but I'm sure their albums require bigger coin.

-- drunk (jus...), January 4th, 2006.

I was more referring to the hate for Wilco on ILM.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

I think it's probably the new Malkmus album.
I'm confused why people think if you love something you can't be critical. Let's keep all the destroyer talk on this thread. I'm in agreement with most that it's easily his best, and I do think it is the masterpiece deserving of hype and love. It's the best album from beginning to end that I've heard in quite a long time. Refreshing that it's coming from such a literate songwriter. I also heard from someone that a big indie website is gonna give it a 10 in Feb.

-- dodger (howardsen...), January 4th, 2006.

destroyerbot strikes again

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

Destroyerbot impales indie websites in his sleep!

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

There was a really pun in there if your interested.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

Probably not, sorry.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

really bad pun, that is. *runs and hides*

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 4th, 2006.

destroyer turns me on

-- destroyerbot (destroyerbo...), January 4th, 2006.

Destroyer rescued my cat who was stuck high atop a tree. Seriously, my cat, Tabitha, was stuck. I brough out my musicbox, put on Rubies, and she did. She came right down and purred next to the speaker. Thank you Destroyer.

-- junebug (sunshinesuperma...), January 4th, 2006.

Um. OK. Enough of the strange, and occassionally frightening posts.
So, critics (aka cutty), what don't you like about Destroyer's Rubies? (And, please, not the whole, "I just can't stand his voice" thing. It's too easy.)

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 4th, 2006.

Indie, reveal the gossip! Who? Banhart?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 4th, 2006.

I was listening to this on my way home and it really grabbed me, while streethawk e.a. just annoyed me. But I still don't really get the praise for the lyrics, which mostly seem meaningless stream-of-consciousness with some big words here and there, but i guess I'm missing something.

e.g. rubies:
don't worry about her
she 's been known to to appreciate the eloquence of an empty room
look i made you this broom
a predicate warning to the sun
this night advances on

-- barnaby11 (frankbabyfac...), January 4th, 2006.

i never said i don't like the album. i think it sounds like every other destroyer album (sans streethawk, which is better than all the rest).

i like it. it won't change the world. won't get a 10 on pitchfork. won'trescue any kitties or cure AIDS.

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

i don't understand the hippy jam towards the end, though.

-- cutty (holle...), January 4th, 2006.

hey guys i dont know if any of you are with me on this, but i'm kind of scared that this album might get Destroyer big media attention...

i mean its not like the music wont be as good, but i would hate to see the day when a bunch of kids come out of hot topic with fucking destroyer t-shirts on...

hopefully it wont happen, Bejar seems to be pretty against the whole popular scene. I heard that he left the New Pornographers because he didn't like all the media attention...

My Advice:
RUN DAN RUN!!! YOU ARE TOO GOOD and MTV wants your BLOOD!!!
I KNOW YOU MISS SPAIN DAN! GO BACK!!! PLEASE!!!

(But play a show in Southern California before you go) :)

-- Eric (Southbound28...), January 4th, 2006.

I've heard from fairly reliable sources that while, in fact, Destroyer won't cure AIDS, his work with the Portland Hotel Society in the DES has mostly been involved in the area of post-exposure-prophylactics (also known as PEPs), drugs which greatly reduce the chance of HIV acquisiton within the first three months of exposure.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 4th, 2006.

Good for our man, Dan.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 5th, 2006.

I heard from a pretty reliable source that it will get the pfork 10.

-- michelleh (michelle...), January 5th, 2006.

i've heard the same thing. that's really too bad. they gave 'the moon and antartica' a 10, which is, at best, a very mediocre indie rock record. so a 10 is kind of like back-handed insult.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 5th, 2006.

why yes I've heard the same thing too, eight or 10 fucking times in this very thread

at first I was dismayed at the way this thread devolved into no actual discussion of the record but now I'm just gonna kick back and enjoy its cracktasticness

e.g.

"i would hate to see the day when a bunch of kids come out of hot topic with fucking destroyer t-shirts on"

rofl!!!

-- Renard (drenard...), January 5th, 2006.

Not even a back-handed compliment. I NEVER WANT A PITCHFORK 10!

Let's all hope it gets a 4, then.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 5th, 2006.

but just to go off topic for a second and discuss the album --

"i don't understand the hippy jam towards the end, though."

I assume you mean the beginning of Sick Priest? It's more of a Neil Young ripoff ... unless you think Tonight's The Night is a hippy jam record ... ?

"the lyrics, which mostly seem meaningless stream-of-consciousness with some big words here and there, but i guess I'm missing something"

definitely stream-of-consciousness, definitely big words, definitely not meaningless ... it's dense and impressionistic but I like the imagery ... "Tall ships made of snow invading the sun" ...

-- Renard (drenard...), January 5th, 2006.

call it whatever you want, it sucks.

-- cutty (holle...), January 5th, 2006.

I refuse to let all the retarded things that're gonna get said about this record affect how much I like Dan's writing! So there, all you people getting read to say all those retarded things you're already planning on saying!

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), January 5th, 2006.

Sick priest does not suck. Ends the album with a shambolic elegance. Kinda fades in and out like a drunken Mark E. Smith.
And his lyrics are far from meaningless, and I would

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 5th, 2006.

why is it that all of these people are unregistered?

-- cutty (holle...), January 5th, 2006.

cutty. I didn't even think of registering as an option. seriously. why should I?

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 5th, 2006.

Is Rodney Graham, premiere conceptual artist and internationally reknowned photographer who lent equipment and support to Dan Bejar during the recording of "Your Blues" unregistered? Are the hundreds upon hundreds of people, including Canadian hero Don McKellar, who witnessed Mr. Bejar's wonderful performances unregistered? The people have spoken, overwhelmingly, THIS IS THE ALBUM OF THE MILLENIUM.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 5th, 2006.

also, I'm hearing in Bejar's words, that in music there used to be something powerful and life altering in its possible scope. Music really used to change peoples perceptions and their lives. It's such a powerful medium, can reach so many people, and most musicians, especially in the American underground, are saying nothing at all. Just sapphires. Dim and frightful waste.
Thanks to Bejar for the rubies. Sometimes I listen to the lyrics and think he's wrestling with ending his music career. I hope it's just frustration and he continues to make the effort. I, for one, am listening, and you give me hope.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 5th, 2006.

I agree with whoever said that Bejar seems to be using the Sun as a symbol for America. And by America, I mean, the independent music scenes (Goodbye Rhode Island, sink into the sea!) as well as America's current blanketing of other cultures throughout the world. It shines on everyone, and we have no choice, especially here in Canada. Let's all ride our tall ships made of snow, and invade the Sun. I don't think it'll be that futile, and I don't think I'll melt. Proud Mary, light that fuse!

-- mygemini (attheendofmyrop...), January 5th, 2006.

I love this thread. Had to check out what all the fuss, hype?, was about.
I can't claim to know what he's talking about, but the language of it all massages my ears in a right nice way. I will buy it when it hits the stores.

-- Destroye (anonymou...), January 5th, 2006.

Jay Watts the 3rd. I think I love you. Can I buy you a pint? Name the place. Preferably in East Van.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 5th, 2006.

Ahhh, I haven't been back in East Van since the last holiday season, but what if I send someone in my place, like Stephen Balogh or something?

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 5th, 2006.

Jay, who do you imagine the famous Toronto painter who shot him (Bejar?) down? (You can email me if it's easier to talk about the local references.) Another musician? critic? band?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 5th, 2006.

Representing East Van over here.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 5th, 2006.

how does this music, with its cleverer than thou lyrics, generate such good will?

-- reconstructionist (whoseblue...), January 5th, 2006.

Because it's not cleverer than thou. It assumes that you're an intelligent human being who loves to dance and sing and think.

-- gerardmonchichi (gerardmonchich...), January 5th, 2006.

do you dance to the nine and a half minute opening rant? i don't

-- reconstructionist (whoseblue...), January 5th, 2006.

I don't think Dan is trying to out-smart us. He is just having fun.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 5th, 2006.

That's what I love about the opening song it is tight/loose, sad/jubilant/playful, tossed off/very orchestrated...it's just a lot of thing at once, and I think fun is definitely one of them,

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 5th, 2006.

Fun definitely. I dance to Rubies everytime. And then I can't stop. All the way to the end...

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 5th, 2006.

I bet Can't Stop the Bleeding will have a choice word or two about the whole thing once the buzz hits the newsstands

-- Mr Straight Toxic (straightu...), January 5th, 2006.

...as gratifying as this dust was

-- cutty (holle...), January 5th, 2006.

indie fuxor, still waiting for you to reveal the gossip. Or is this strictly a guessing game? Is it Banhart? Newsom? AC Newman?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 5th, 2006.

We listen to this all the time in our dorm room. Anyone who hears it wants to know who it is and when can they buy a copy. It's become the soundtrack to our lives.

-- twolovers (jackdian...), January 5th, 2006.

haha

-- cutty (holle...), January 5th, 2006.

two lovers in a dorm room, eh? i get it.

nice.

-- don't start a RYE-OTT! (plsmit...), January 5th, 2006.

Late to join this thread, but had to toss in my thoughts.
It's for sure Dan Bejar's strongest work. I've only given it a couple listens. Can't tell if it's gonna be a classic like someone above said, but I think it might be. Who else is currently making incredible music like this?

-- michaelg (michaelgood...), January 6th, 2006.

i don't get the two lovers joke. can someone explain?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 6th, 2006.

I love it. Painter in your Pocket is such a good song. The lines are so great in the chorus I sing it all day.

-- coco (andouileheight...), January 6th, 2006.

So I really hate to add to the indie clusterfuck here, but after a few listens I think this shit is fantastic. We'll see if that holds up. For now, it sounds like everything I've ever liked about Bejar concentrated and magnified, the most Destroyer-y Destroyer album I guess, and it's just goddamn beautiful.

-- ZR (teenagequie...), January 6th, 2006.

ZR It does hold up. Ive had it since the leak and I listen everyday, at least 3 to 4 times a day, and it never gets old. I keep expecting it to, but it never does. To me thats the mark of a classic. I know Ill be listening to it when Im old and gray. Something Ill play excitedly to my future grandkids. It is everything thats wonderful about Destroyer concentrated into one album. He's riding that tall white ship into the Sun. I just hope he continues to make incredible music for many more years, as he keeps getting better.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 6th, 2006.

Dude, is everyone posting to this thread on ecstasy? Or is this just how people who aren't cynical depressed loser fucks talk about music? Seriously though marybeth, I hope my opinion ends up echoing yours, but my grandkids are only allowed to listen to Hawkwind.

-- ZR (teenagequie...), January 6th, 2006.

ZR, I think I'm just excited to finally hear an album that grabs me by my hair and swings me around my bedroom, in a pleasureable way of course. I haven't heard an album that knocked me down with its beauty in a very long time.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 6th, 2006.

The new Destroyer...it slices, dices, julliennes (other albums that will come out in 2006!)...

-- runaroundsue (susanligh...), January 7th, 2006.

In spite of this thread, I decided to give Rubies a listen. I too have to admit I'm in agreement with the majority here. This thing kicks ass.

-- whpkdj (pandroi...), January 7th, 2006.

I like how the dominant theme is now, "in spite of wild praise, album actually good!" guess people have been burned waaay too many times huh?

it is over the top, but I think most on here are being sincere in their hyperbole ... it's the sound of a small but intense fanbase getting exactly what it wanted ...

-- Renard (drenard...), January 7th, 2006.

Who can find Bejar's first? Lou Reed lyric check on Rubies? Who can find Bejar's first Ezra Pound "lyric" check on same?

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 7th, 2006.

You mean the "dock of the bay" reference, or was that Otis Redding. Otis Redding, Ezra Pound, same dude probably.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 7th, 2006.

Guess I can unload those Destroyer 7"s and the City of Daughetrs LP on eBay now. I hate to part with 'em, but...seems the getting oughta be good.

The new album is great.

-- Sincere Ducking Phillistine (appl...), January 7th, 2006.

can someone please ysl this one again?

-- boyfrombrazil (expatinny...), January 8th, 2006.

please don't. it'll be out soon enough. late february.
And, let me tell you, it's worth the wait. Still my favorite album of 2006.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 8th, 2006.

easy to say on january 8th, 2006.

-- cutty (holle...), January 8th, 2006.

hahaha

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 8th, 2006.

also pretty funny that the person who said:

Please, can't someone leak the thing already?!? The fans are impatient. I need me some Bejar!!!

also says:

please don't. it'll be out soon enough. late february.
And, let me tell you, it's worth the wait.

-- cutty (holle...), January 8th, 2006.

wow. better spank him/her then

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 8th, 2006.

Just trying to restore some sort of karmic balance.
Rubies is truly the work of a mastemind. Do what you can to purchase it.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 8th, 2006.

i did spank him/her, right above you

-- cutty (holle...), January 9th, 2006.

He quotes "The Beds" by Lou in Looter's Follies, and in 3000 Flowers twists around Pound's "In a Station of the Metro", the original of
which reads in its entirety:

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.

Anyone else unearth any other references? Annotated Bejar anyone? Record is utter genius, bested only--still--by Streethawk

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 9th, 2006.

A question: how would you describe Destroyer's MUSIC. Sings like early Bowie, declaims streams of worldly, hyperliterary rants like mid-60s Dylan, but what the hell is the music reminiscent of? Thanks in advance.

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 9th, 2006.

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 9th, 2006.

exactly!

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 9th, 2006.

rubies' music = sophisticated yacht rock

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 9th, 2006.

That's just cold. And, really, not even that funny.
Damn wealthy american underground...

-- regular poundups (woolworthswarrio...), January 9th, 2006.

If you wanna hear where Dan got many of his ideas, look no further than Robyn Hitchcock's EYE LP. Everyone should own / love that album. Download "Satellite" for a taste.

-- Holger Cutesy (paperhous...), January 9th, 2006.

Nah, I'm sinsurr. It's not a bad thing. Keep the fire! And of course who would call out the damn wealthy american underground but a member of their own! Also, take my name again, and I will fucking kill you beyond the ability of Rubies to cure your mouth cancer!!

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 9th, 2006.

So I guess it's okay to leak a contribution from the upcoming Destroye Cancer benefit cd:
"It's Not Fair".

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), January 9th, 2006.

Fans of Destroyer (if they have not already) should check out the music of the late, great Epic Soundtracks. I'd recommend either "Rise Above" or "Change My Life". Lots of similarities in sound and style.

-- drewo (pledg...), January 9th, 2006.

I hear the connection to Hitchcock, but only in terms of occassional vocal inflections. Strange choice to compare Bejar's work to Eye tho, seeing as Eye was Hitchcock solo with his guitar and piano and Bejar rarely works solo. Hitchock was/is more of a surrealist than Bejar as well. I do hear a little of the Soft Boys however in Destroyer.
And, the last time I checked, roundups and poundups were too different words.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 9th, 2006.

And, the last time I checked, roundups and poundups were too different words.

Check again! You are two oblivious to understand.

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 9th, 2006.

Ouch. Why the hate roundups?
This here is a peace loving Destroyer's Rubies thread.
If I'm oblivious, please fill me in. I'm just trying to share my thoughts here and having a hard time with the conflict within this thread. Although no on really seems to be too conflicted about the brilliance of Rubies.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 9th, 2006.

Back to Rubies:
I want to be the first, on this thread, to say that the production duo of JC/DC just keep getting better. Some think Streethawk is Bejar's best, but I say Rubies all the way. And it is thanks to the ever increasing skills and talents of John Collins and Dave Carswell. Streethawk, which was also produced by the duo, sounds flat in comparison.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 9th, 2006.

No hate, I'm just being a butt but (whoa!) trying to be self-parodying about it. I was making myself feel better about making my comment to woolworths by pointing out that you used "too" instead of "two," i.e. I am a dick. I guess being called the wealthy american underground does that to me, although maybe I qualify. Classism is a bitch. But I seriously do think that Rubies has some yacht rock elements.

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 9th, 2006.

Understood.
What, pray tell, is yacht rock?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 9th, 2006.

Keep it smooth Bejar.

-- poundups (disposable...), January 10th, 2006.

I just don't hear it. Where are the yacht elements? Lyrics are too rich. Edges too rough. Where's the smooth?

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 10th, 2006.

about that "Under the Wheel" track from an "upcoming cancer cd tribute" - just wondering where this came from and if it is actually dan as destoyer or some kind of collaboration.

track sounds unbelievably prog by way of bowie.. anyone else listened to it?

why is dan trying to scare us? this is for cancer victims!

-- hamerator (lhame...), January 11th, 2006.

this track - Under the Wheels - it can't be dan. explanation, please, moxtwelve.

-- hamerator (lhame...), January 11th, 2006.

this "Under the Wheel" sounds an awful lot like someone's karoake night.

-- mush (smushmot...), January 11th, 2006.

hammerator, it's a destroye track. not a destroyer track. wise up fool.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarechea...), January 11th, 2006.

Don't Split your Enz over it.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), January 11th, 2006.

damnit.

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), January 11th, 2006.

where's cutty when you need him?

-- poundups (disposable...), January 11th, 2006.

Okay, one example. Produced a little "smoother," the main riff of "Dangerous Woman" and it's little noodly guitar parts in the background could sound very yacht rock. Right now it's just the production that's keeping them from that. What keeps the song from it as a whole is the fact of a fuck-ton of other elements going on at the same time. I don't have a huge analogy for the whole album being nu-yacht rock or anything; I just heard a couple funny similarities and thought this thread could use something other than the rampant Bejar fellating. But of course it also needs less people bitching about said head and who am I to tell this thread what it needs?

Also, marybeth:

Yacht Rock

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 11th, 2006.

destroye? eh?

re: the wierdly dan-like karaoke - why was that posted?

2 cents: rubies - dan's pitch perfect fulfillment of the your blues manifesto - i'm willing to discredit pitchfork altogether (not that they don't deserve it at this point) if they give dan less than his due...

also would like follow up on the rumor that a "major" indie rock band scrapped their latest LP after hearing rubies..

BEJAR HAVE MY BABIES... HE'S A FERTILE FERTILE MAN

i mean mind.

oh, dan, sweet sweet dan. run free.

-- hamerator (lhame...), January 11th, 2006.

haha, destroye fans in no-sense-of-perspective or basic-humourous-sense shocka.

it SAYS IT'S SPLIT ENZ IN THE YSI FILENAME

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 11th, 2006.

no one said it was a 'major' indie band so who are you quoting?

-- indie (roc...), January 11th, 2006.

I think I figured it out, indie. It's the Fiery Furnaces, right?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 11th, 2006.

oh dear

-- TRG (trgilmor...), January 11th, 2006.

Just to let the new readers know, Destroyer's Rubies couldn't be further from yacht rock. Dangerous woman? C'mon. It rocks harder than cutty on a summer morning.
After mulitiple listens, I share that this is the real deal. The best album of 06 easily, and easily one of the best albums of the past 10 years. Amaze me again, Bejar.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 12th, 2006.

This is the most bizarre thread ever.

-- Ross G. (ignorethisrightno...), January 12th, 2006.

well, minus the Marissa ones, of course...

-- Ross G. (ignorethisrightno...), January 12th, 2006.

This really is insane.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 12th, 2006.

This thread almost makes me want to hate this album.

That's it. Destroye sucks.

-- Freud Junior, Third Cousin to Chuck Norris (freud.junio...), January 12th, 2006.

it's like these people have never heard andrew bird

-- vomit redux (notoriouslightnin...), January 12th, 2006.

Destroyer anally raped me and made me love it! CLASSIC

-- malm is money (bizznatc...), January 12th, 2006.

This is a truly surreal thread, and I know I'm not helping matters with my "Yacht Rock, this. Yacht Rock, that" comparisons. But xpost, juno why not respond to the actual parts that I am talking about instead of dismissing the yacht rock thing in blanket statement. Also, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YACHT ROCK?! That is some fun shit, and I don't know Bejarer but I wonder if he would actually mind the comparison. Maybe he'd even find it kind of amusing. He seems like the kind of musician who would try the experiment of recording a veiled yacht rock album just to see what he could pass over on the indie kids. Not saying he did that, reactionaries! And fuck all this "for the newcomers, let me lead you through an internet message board and guide you to all the REALLY VALID opinions." Destroye forever!

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 12th, 2006.

without reading those other threads, people either don't know what yacht rock is or can't imagine it's not an insult. I think I could grant modified yacht rock status to Priest's Knees and maybe Watercolors into the Ocean ....

"Anyone else unearth any other references? Annotated Bejar anyone?"

last night I sat down to chart some of the rock references in the lyrics but it was just too fucking nerdy, I quit after 3 tracks. if someone else starts I'll throw in my 2 cents.

-- Renard (drenard...), January 12th, 2006.

sorry roundups i was being a dick. i just dont hear the yacht rock sound in dangerous woman. too rocky to be smooth. Bejar ain't no Loggins.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 12th, 2006.

C'mon now. If it's anything it's postyacht.

-- Edward III (ehonaue...), January 12th, 2006.

now now. keep it smooth, juno and roundups.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarechea...), January 12th, 2006.

please! Can we get back to Destroyer's Rubies? They say diamonds are a girls best friend (and I don't mean Nick Diamonds!), but I say it's rubies for this girl. It's got everything I need in an album. Its powerful and I never want it to stop.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 12th, 2006.

Diamonds is forever.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), January 12th, 2006.

I heard from a reliable source that Destroyer's Rubies will be released as a double lp by Scratch Records with the fourth side being material remixed and reworked by Loscil and Destroyer. I can't wait. Should come out a couple months after the cd tho.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 13th, 2006.

thanks for the info juno.
anyone else think that painter in your pocket might be about Dan's relationship to Carl Newman and the New Pornographers?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 13th, 2006.

Everything on this here music lovers' circle jerk site is a priori nerdy, so get over it buddy....what other refs did you find?

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 14th, 2006.

Destroyer's been added to The Shins day for ATP in May. (HOLY COW!) And Joanna Newsom, Lightning Bolt, etc too!

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 14th, 2006.

Juno, we're good, haha. He's sure no Loggins, I just thought I heard something buried back there.

Postyacht = classic!!

And marybeth: please! Can we get back to Destroyer's Rubies? They say diamonds are a girls best friend (and I don't mean Nick Diamonds!), but I say it's rubies for this girl.

How is this talking about the album? It seems more like writing lame blurbs for the sticker on the cover.

-- regular roundups (daphim...), January 14th, 2006.

omg.

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 14th, 2006.

AH! It's the Shins who shitcanned their album after hearing Rubies!!! It all makes sense now!

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 14th, 2006.

destroyer lyrical beatdown, play along at home

some of these are way obvious but here goes

recurring imaages - priests & their knees, oceans, bells, rubies / sapphires / treasures, the wealthy american underground, children missing or dying, painting & painters, "tall ships made of snow invading the sun"

rubies
"proud mary said as she lit the fuse" - creedence / ike & tina song (proud mary)
"I wanted you I wanted your blues" - destroyer album (your blues)
"please don't wake me from this my golden slumber" - beatles song (golden slumbers)

your blood
"I made donations to the plague and the fall" - albert camus books (or, one albert camus book and one mark e. smith band)
"your blood versus your blues" - destroyer album

european oils
"getting it on with the hangman's daughter" - incredible string band album? (the hangman's beautiful daughter)

painter in your pocket
"penchant for destruction in the way you talk" - reference to destroying

looters' follies
"felt some mercurial presence, hitherto unknown" - sung in uncanny bob dylan voice (credit to zoilus)
"I swear looters' follies has never sounded so good" - reference to current song being sung

3000 flowers
"one-hundredth of a wet, black bough" - ezra pound (as noted by others, no fucking way i would figure that out)
"as the music lovers sat cross-legged in the sand" - destroyer song (the music lovers)
"too much like destroyers of themselves" - reference to destroying

dangerous woman
"have I told you lately that I love you?" - rod stewart lyric
"those who love zeppelin will soon betray floyd" - plant vs. waters FITE
"they said don't look back but I looked back" - d.a. pennebaker bob dylan documentary (don't look back)

priest's knees
"exploring the blues" - your blues

watercolours into the ocean
"listening to strawberry wine for the 181st time" - song by the band
"her friends on this night made of jewels" - destroyer album (this night)

sick priest
nada!

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

wow somebody's paying attention!

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 14th, 2006.

wow--that's a whole lotta refs...don't forget "They're taking her children away" from Lou Reed's "The Kids" on Berlin (Priest's Knees)
Thanks!

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 14th, 2006.

increased my stay at the dock of the bay (from Rubies) - Otis
Also, I think the Dangerous Woman is the Queen of England, as the song seems to be about the relationship of Canada to England (whicih Bejar often references).

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 14th, 2006.

"typical me, typical me" the smiths, i started something i couldn't finish

-- cutty (holle...), January 14th, 2006.

i forget what song he says it in

-- cutty (holle...), January 14th, 2006.

i think "typical me typical me" is in the slow part of track one

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

yes

-- cutty (holle...), January 14th, 2006.

"don't forget "They're taking her children away" from Lou Reed's "The Kids""

wow i guess i'm not up on lou reed's solo career, i don't recognize that one or the looters' follies one you mentioned ....

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

Handful of nursery rhyme references throughout...
Two that I can think of off the top of my head
"you can huff and you can puff" (looters) "grey mare"

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 14th, 2006.

there are also some 2nd-level ones ... things that just remind me of things ... but knowing the way Bejar constructs his lyrics it's probably intentional

best example of this I can think of is "kids you'd better change your feathers 'cause you'll never fly with those things" -- has echoes of Making Angels off This Night ("hey rock n roll's not through yet, I'm sewing wings on this thing")

"I wave bye to them in a modern way" --> "The Very Modern Dance" (Streethawk) --> Pere Ubu's "The Modern Dance"

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

as I mentioned earlier, "oh life is bigger" is a ref to REM - Losing My Religion in Watercolours

i'm working on a Destroyer wiki, really. I'll put these up there when its up.

-- pinder (pinde...), January 14th, 2006.

on watercolours...
strawberry wine is a my bloody valentine song from 1987

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 14th, 2006.

it's also the first track off "Stage Fright" by The Band ... take yr pick I suppose!

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

oh i get it, 'cause it says "it was 1987 it was spring"

-- Renard (drenard...), January 14th, 2006.

should p'haps be noted that "the hangman's daughter" = death outside of that incredible string band album, and that not looking back but looking back has all kinds of non-dylan doc references it could be.

what i want to know: there's a bit in 'a dangerous woman..' : "i just want you to know that your friends are.." - what on earth is he saying there, and in the next line? i don't want to post what i hear it as because i don't want to dictate other people's hearings of it, also i think mine is wrong and stupid.

-- tom west (u3i0...), January 14th, 2006.

the full album lyrics are posted here
http://www.livejournal.com/community/streethawk/21519.html

-- pinder (pinde...), January 14th, 2006.

oh, that's marvy. thankyou.

-- tom west (u3i0...), January 14th, 2006.

Destroyer's Rubies rocks my world. Thanks for all the great reading. And I can't wait to listen more to get all the subtleties. I can't believe I haven't heard much of his music before, but now I'm gonna get most of it when I can put some cash together. Wow. I'm amazed.

-- old mae the dj (maeli...), January 15th, 2006.

370 photos and it hasn't been released yet! (Is this normal for ILM?)

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 15th, 2006.

http://infomani.info/mambo/imgrandom/big/geek.jpg

-- joycejuice (countvaginismu...), January 15th, 2006.

you know the holocaust? destroyer's rubies is like the exact opposite of that!

-- Sym Sym (shmuel...), January 16th, 2006.

hey dude, what do you think?, aside from Destroyer being the Christ.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 16th, 2006.

the title track is really good, but I haven't heard much else. Make me a copy!

-- Sym Sym (shmuel...), January 16th, 2006.

if you give me your daughter and thirty sheckels.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 16th, 2006.

Ok, i can make you a copy but you must understand this is a grave sin in the eyes of God.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 16th, 2006.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 16th, 2006.

Just heard it. I'm in agreement with y'all. Album of 2006. Easy. Can't imagine anything topping it. And it's only a month in! Bejar had something to prove I guess.

-- forgotten flower (forgottenflowers...), January 16th, 2006.

either merge or dan bejar is spamming this board! all right!

-- tom allison (ruintherid...), January 16th, 2006.

no, Bejar is omnipresent.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 16th, 2006.

I do get the Rodney Graham reference now. Still listening to this beauty.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 17th, 2006.

what is the Rodney Graham reference? the "famous Toronto painter" one?

-- pinder (pinde...), January 17th, 2006.

-- pinder (pinde...), January 18th, 2006.

Yes, that is the cover.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 18th, 2006.

is that Bejar's home?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 18th, 2006.

Great shot of Bejar in the lower corner. Thanks pinder.
I think Graham is a reference more than an influence. Especially in light of Bejar as the consumate artist. He is in a league beyond almost anyone else making music right now.
The more that I look at the cover the more that I love it.
2006 - the year of Bejar!

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarechea...), January 18th, 2006.

Sweet cover. Like the way the light shines and shimmers. Can't wait to pick this one up on vinyl.

-- poundups (anonymou...), January 18th, 2006.

the more that I look at it the more that I admire the cover. Everything about the new Destroyer seems right.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 19th, 2006.

Ya Kid K in tha '06 y'all

-- Thomas Tallis (tallis4...), January 19th, 2006.

Will someone please point me in the direction to listen to this entire album? I'm going to buy two copies when it comes out, but I can't wait that long!

-- Westin (thirteenthscal...), January 20th, 2006.

Pfork tosses out a poorly written piece on Bejar. Exciting to hear about all his upcoming projects. Rubies still rocks my world and it will set the indie world ablaze in Feb.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 20th, 2006.

YES YES WE KNOW.

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 20th, 2006.

"all good things must come to an end, the bad ones just go on forever."

-- cutty (holle...), January 20th, 2006.

be kind cutty. I like seeing such excitement for an album.
And, the praise may go on forever once it's released.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarechea...), January 20th, 2006.

Westin, you can find it on slsk. Defintiely buy two copies. I'm planning on buying five - for friends and the like. And I do plan on buying a copy to mail to an address randomly selected out of my local phone book. Spreading the rubies...

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 21st, 2006.

hey renard. this is pretty good.

-- gypsy mothra (meetm...), January 21st, 2006.

ahh another jolly passenger for the destroye's rubies pirate ship

they are playing the Avalon in March ....

-- Renard (drenard...), January 21st, 2006.

I really didn't feel his albums before, but this one is pretty good. I think Bejar maybe finally getting over his inferiority complex he has had pertaining to Carl Newman.

-- J. Lamphere (retrovertigo00...), January 21st, 2006.

I didn't know he had an inferiority complex pertaining to Newman.

-- TRG (trgilmor...), January 21st, 2006.

I think Bejar maybe finally getting over his inferiority complex he has had pertaining to Carl Newman.

lol! what nonsense!

the Pitchfork story that said he was working on music with Carey Mercer and Spencer Krug is very exciting indeed!

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 21st, 2006.

I was just implying that
he seems to never be pictured with the rest of the New Pornos

-- J. Lamphere (retrovertigo00...), January 21st, 2006.

Bejar with an inferiority complex? C'mon now. That's just nonsense.
He's not pictured with the rest of the NPs becuase he's not really a member of the band. He tosses Newman his bsides, which then outshine everything else on the NPs albums. Last I heard, he almost begs Bejar for songs to include on the albums.

-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 21st, 2006.

Can't wait to hear Bejar and Mercer again. And, damn, toss in Krug! Very exciting.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarecharre...), January 22nd, 2006.

Hi,

I'm french and really love Destroyer, but maybe i'm the only one here who knows Dan Bejar's work. Though i think i'll wait the release before listening to it, i'd like to know your opinion about that:how would you guys rank the songs, from 1 to 10 ? (i.e, the first song you rank is the one you prefer, and the last the one you like the less).

-- Trymon (cedric.coulon...), January 22nd, 2006.

I think Bejar maybe finally getting over his inferiority complex he has had pertaining to Carl Newman.

yeah, i mean the Zumpano catalog just holds up so well against Destroyer's output.

-- that's so taylrr (or...), January 22nd, 2006.

I've put up the Destroyer Wiki here http://www.deftone.com/destroyer/ for all Rubies references.

Thanks to Renard, jay, cutty, marybeth, douglas, and everyone else for the help in this thread.

It is a wiki, so if you find anything I missed, feel free to add/edit.

-- pinder (pinde...), January 23rd, 2006.

Destroyer's Rubies cured my genital herpes!!

-- nico kase (oldsmutpeddle...), January 23rd, 2006.

There will be no 10.0 from pitchfork, hell the song "Rubies" couldn't even muster 3 stars.

-- mushmouth (smushmot...), January 24th, 2006.

Different reviewer. He sucks.

-- jackieslegs (jackieslegsarecharre...), January 24th, 2006.

The Rubies song review had such a disdainful tone that I wonder if the reviewer had some personal beef with Bejar. Hope they get a more thoughtful reviewer for the whole album.

-- yourbluesman (bluesmanroc...), January 25th, 2006.

this thread just keeps blowing my mind

-- Thomas Tallis (tallis4...), January 25th, 2006.

This thread scares me on a primal level. This thread scares me more than one where some guy was spamming for the Ba'hai religion.

-- That I Could Clamber to the Frozen Moon and Draw the Ladder (freud.junio...), January 25th, 2006.

The Rubies song review had such a disdainful tone that I wonder if the reviewer had some personal beef with Bejar.

I wonder if the reviewer had some personal beef with this thread...

-- sovietpanda (sovietpand...), January 25th, 2006.

the cheerleaders on this thread have cost bejar his 10.0, soon bejar will emerge from the frozen tundra and hunt them down like a buncha slasher movie victims

-- Thomas Tallis (tallis4...), January 25th, 2006.

the pfork track review isn't "disdainful," it's "critical." it is a piece of music "criticism," and it is refreshing compared to this thread's jizzathon.

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 25th, 2006.

"Rubies" is my favourite track on the album. So it's interesting to read a contrary opinion. It still makes me want to shake the writer by the shoulders, though.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 25th, 2006.

because he doesn't like a song you like? i think it's a perfectly fair review

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 25th, 2006.

and for the record i'm a big fan and i like the album a lot!

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 25th, 2006.

s1ocki OTM, although "Rubies" is still my fave track. this thread gives me the fear.

-- ZR (teenagequie...), January 25th, 2006.

I don't think what I said was v. controversial! Don't you want to shake people who disagree with you? I almost always do. "Come on!" I want to say. "Be like me!"

Not babies, though.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 25th, 2006.

if i had a baby i'd want it to be like me!

-- s1ocki (slytus...), January 25th, 2006.

Great wikipedia entry, Pinder--congrats! Have not read the track review from the heinous p-fork, but I think Rubies is the weakest track on the record, which I absolutely love...would have come out diff. if he had reviewed European Oils

-- douglas eklund (doug.eklun...), January 25th, 2006.

I liked this thread better when it was "Destroye's."

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...), January 25th, 2006.

I haven't heard this album, but I'm sure I will soon. I have
mixed feelings about Bejar. The lyrics and arrangements are great, even the guitar solos are inventive.

but my initial thoughts upon purchasing and listening to Streethawk:
"This dude is an underachiver." Judging from the Carl Newman interview I read, he's
quite a drinker, so maybe that explains it, but I think he could really do better.
He's obviously a fantastic songwriter, but I can only chalk up his sometimes-lackluster
singing to sheer laziness. On the Pornographers' stuff he sounds mostly in tune,
but on this album, he just doesn't care. I mean, it's still a great album.
But it took more than a few listens to get past the goat-like bleating sound
that he makes through much of the album. It just sounds bad.

Maybe I'm missing the point; maybe the idiosyncratic delivery is part of the appeal.
But it just doesn't gel for me.

-- squirl plise (gbblinatri...), January 26th, 2006.

Track two sounds like "In Bloom."

-- Teen Beat (corycorycor...), January 26th, 2006.

xxpost
I found myself wanting to read this record title with the "yay" elsewhere.
Plus, what with the record abolishing all these ass cancers, the "yay" is somehow more remedial.

campaign for the re-omission of the "r".

-- mox twelve (mox.twelv...), January 26th, 2006.

the cheerleaders on this thread have cost bejar his 10.0

Wow. Just wow.

-- erklie (erklie50...), January 26th, 2006.

More jizzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
I love this album. Can't wait to see its widespread release with accompanying massive sales and critical aclaim. I think it's gonna crossover big time. F!@# the haters.

-- destroyerfan (amazingsunshinegir...), January 27th, 2006.

Congrats, you geeks actually outstroked the Hold Steady & M.I.A spoozathons. Classic!

-- anna graham (bluldyvisio...), January 28th, 2006.

people like anna realise that the fans in this thread intentionally moved into self-parody, right?

-- sean gramophone (sea...), January 28th, 2006.

yes, that's the tragic part

-- anna graham (bluldyvisio...), January 28th, 2006.

I do like to live in a fantasy world where Destroyer tops the charts. Teenage girls have Destroyer embroidered on their jeans and Dan has a centerfold in Teen Beat (and maybe Playgirl for us older women!). A girl can dream, right?

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), January 28th, 2006.

Heh. My promo copy finally got here, and I'm enjoying it. He reminds me a lot of Giant Sands actually, especially Your Blood re: Yr Ropes.
The pronouncements ("I can't see another album topping it!") and precious, and'll be worth revisiting around the end of the year.
Now I've gotta come up with some questions for Bejar (which makes me vaguely wish that I'd listened to more Destroyer albums than just this one).

-- js (roc...), February 2nd, 2006.

Destroyer's Rubies makes the kids in my classroom so happy. I play it before the morning meeting and half the class sings along to some of the songs, in particular painter in your pocket. I've been teaching kindergarten for about 4 years now and no album has brought such harmony to the morning activities. Thanks Destroyer.

-- imeldasblues (imeldasshue...), February 4th, 2006.

haHAHha whether or not you're serious, thats such an awesome mental image.

-- Elliot (elliotsi...), February 4th, 2006.

reminds me of the scene in nathan barley with the junkie children's choir

-- cutty (holle...), February 4th, 2006.

Destroyer did do a couple kids songs on a CD that came with the "Snowy and Chinook" children's book.

-- pinder (pinde...), February 4th, 2006.

Heard it for the first time last night at a party. Amazing. I stole the CD from the player, listening to it right now, and feel now guilt. What a find!

-- michelinman (michelinma...), February 4th, 2006.

Is this what a street team conference call is like?

-- Reggie (reggi...), February 4th, 2006.

This thread actually just destroyed my mind.

-- ian popsheep (popshee...), February 8th, 2006.

take sides, excessive praise of destroyer's rubies vs. repetitive dumbfuck criticism of same

actual non-snotty post content:

Bejar is on the cover of the Fader

the article itself is pretty good ... he does get Bejar to talk a lot ... I guess the most surprising (sort of) bit is that he says touring with the New Porns was a "one-off," won't happen again, and that although they "make music that he likes" the two bands' "aesthetic strategies" (Destroyer and NPs) have diverged and are getting farther apart by the day ...

-- Renard (drenard...), February 8th, 2006.

if you think this is bad, check out the prequel

Steely Dan: "Steely Dan's name has been popping up as a hip musical crush. Remember, this glossy bop-pop was the indifferent aristocracy to punk rock's stone-throwing in the late 70's. People fought and died so our generation could listen to something better. "

Steely Dan are fine, and perhaps Destroyer are OK, but please people, some f-ing perspective

-- giles st.john (aplaceforrib...), February 8th, 2006. (tracklink)

read: "there's no possible way it could be good if i'm not into it"

-- having fun with stockholm cindy on stage (theundergroundhom...), February 8th, 2006.

is the fader article available online? great cover shot! i just can't seem to find the magazine locally. I still think Rubies is a masterpiece and hope it does well when it's released soon. Bejar is my pin up.

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), February 8th, 2006.

I thought this thread was about Destroye.

-- Freud Junior (freud.junio...), February 8th, 2006.

I'm so excited...the day is nearly upon us. Who wants to start the countdown? I've already sent out invitations to friends for the listening party that I'm having at my apartment. Beer, wine and Bejar. I can't wait!

-- alicethegoon (crosspollinatio...), February 9th, 2006.

For everyone who doesn't already have the leaked copy, Rubies is now streaming off http://www.mergerecords.com/

-- smush (smushmot...), February 9th, 2006.

Wow this is great! Right now I can't see anything beating it for album of the year.

-- Jim Reckling (Jreckli...), February 10th, 2006.

This thread. !!
my eyes. too much of things. everywhere.
must try to forget.

-- rrrobyn (apoemabouteverythin...), February 10th, 2006.

i tried to hold out, but i think i love this album.

-- pssst - badass revolutionary art! (plsmit...), February 10th, 2006.

8 more days...8 more days!!! I can't wait to hold it in my hands and look longingly at the cover art and liner notes. I'm beside myself in anticipation. Anyone else gonna stay home next Tuesday to relish the new CD? My friends and I are calling it Bejar Day.

-- josh friedman (jfulloflif...), February 13th, 2006.

OMG! My friends and I are camping out outside of our local record store so we can pick it up first thing when the store opens. Crazy I know, but we luv us some Bejar. We're hoping they'll give us a poster or something. My one friend even called the local news and I think they're gonna have a crew come out to put a lil news story together. Yeah! Rubies can't come soon enough!

-- marybeth (marybehtfourwonde...), February 13th, 2006.

All the teens are touting this album as "the" album to lose some virginities to...

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), February 13th, 2006.

i heard dan's working on an album called "duets", where he works with peeps like Eminem and Leonard Cohen and Syd Barrett and Biggie Smalls.

-- sean gramophone (sea...), February 13th, 2006.

FREE THE ELUSIVE PITCHFORK "10"

-- Forksclovetofu (forksclovetof...), February 13th, 2006.

Biggie: "I was a terrah since the public school era"
Bejar: "See, the terrah, it serves a purpose"
Bejar: "Shadowy figures babbling on about typical rural shit"
Biggie: "Respect is collected, so check it"

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), February 13th, 2006.

Now if I had the time, that would have been more artfully construed.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), February 13th, 2006.

err, constructed.

-- Jay Watts III (goldkick...), February 13th, 2006.

the 10 is coming i can feel it

-- michelinman (michelinma...), February 14th, 2006.

7 more days!

-- michelleh (michelle...), February 14th, 2006.

Destroyer's Rubies makes me wanna fucking do one!

-- Vintage Latin (doglati...), February 14th, 2006.

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2687

-- peter stillman (greg_j_...), February 16th, 2006.

it is time to place your bets:
how much will rubie's score at pitchforkmedia?!

the average of all votes will probably be the true rate..

my bet:9.2

your turn.

-- emekars (francobomban...), February 17th, 2006.

no thanks

-- cutty (holle...), February 17th, 2006.

this thread, by popular request, is apparently to continue mindless fawning over some shitty indie band. so go ahead and do that, if you really want.

this thread, by popular request, is apparently to continue mindless fawning over some shitty indie band. so go ahead and do that, if you really want.

-- Sterling Clover (s.clove...), February 21st, 2006. (s_clover) (later)

the problem with banning ideas is just that it never works, pretty much.
-- Sterling Clover (s.clove...), February 21st, 2006. (s_clover) (later)

David Irving to thread, if he can swing it.

marybeth I think you are confused. Fascists tend to support highly restricive governments and to be violently nationalistic. Thread deletion, by comparison, is quite benign.

my guess as to the motivation of thread deleter - when it's some of the people sarcastically egging on the rest of other people, it can be funny. but when all of the people are sarcastically egging on all of the people, it's just pointless.

i mean, what i'm trying to say is - nothing in this thread is real, right? you people can't possibly be serious.

The role of marybeth was played by Alex in NYC.

For a record of 5+ minute songs, it is pretty focused, though.

first melodies that stuck with me were the wordless choruses. for some reason the one in "dangerous woman" always comes to mind, but my fav is "european oils", with the descending piano parts. and the falsetto part in rubies against the echoy guitars is majestic.

OMFG, will the strokefest never fucking end??? You're even getting clueless Mariah-obsessed ninnies to jump on the bandwagon now? I thought Soilus was OTP, this is getting ridiculous.........
Just make sure the cd packaging is big enough for me to stick my penis inside, let me join this circle jerk right now.

haha that's actually pretty much like Rubies

kelefa: "But let's not get carried away. "Destroyer's Rubies" isn't meant as an outreach effort, and it surely won't conquer the indie-rock world, let alone the real world."

have you made any new mixes lately?

boxcutter just did a breezeblock set and it's pretty great. reminds me of a glitchy, dubstep boymerang.

my new whatever mix: tryyy

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5288016

Which is, um...oh well.

this album is still better than merriwhether post pavilion

This album's pretty great, but Streethawk is still my favorite Destroyer.

streethawk is probably his best work

This is his best.

this album is still better than merriwhether post pavilion

backhanded compliment?
this thread was lol