Albums by this artist

Ruy Blas! (2001)

Concentrate To Listen To The Rondo That We Christen King Speed (1999)

The Rah Bras

Ruy Blas!

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

The Rah Bras Ruy Blas! Lovitt, 2001 RiYL: Sleepytime Trio, Men's Recovery Project

I know that you can't judge a book by its cover, but let's face it, we all do. When I opened a package that included the Rah Bras' first full-length, Ruy Blas!, I was put off by the cover art. The trio's members, who prefer to be identified as keyboardist Isabellarah Rubella, bassist Boo Rah, and drummer Jean Rah in the stead of their real names, were all cowering in fear from some unseen being. But, it wasn't really the image, or that two of the three members were dressed in drag (the other being an actual female), but something about the whole pretentious aura of design kept me from actually listening to the record for quite some time.

Still, listen I did, and the introductory chords of the album opening "Bababoon" immediately caught my ear and not just because they are in an unusual key. Throughout the record, the trio trades off vocal duties affecting characters who alternate between being devilish, comical, sexy, angelic and dramatic. The haunting rock sounds, heavy on keyboards and danceworthybeats, that fill the record are an indicator of the three-piece's overall capacity for crafting unusual and compelling arrangements that rock out in a thoroughly unsettling way.

And while most of the arrangements are more blaring, the standout "Gently Jeanrah" sounds like a lost collaboration between Nick Cave and Polly Jean Harvey if an eerie Cave arrangement weretinged with baroque and new-wave influences. While Ruy Blas! is not a record that suits every listening situation -- seeing as it sounds likesome strange amalgamation of math rock, new wave, goth, industrial and possibly Elizabethan theater -- it supports the notion that the Rah Bras are capable proponents of an unusual sound.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.