Pleasure of Ruins

• Artist: Saturnine
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 16, 2001
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Pleasure of Ruins is a focused indie rock roots collection that melds Americana with alternative rock esthetics. Akin to the post-John Cale Velvet Underground and the crop of popular back-to-basics rockers such as Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams, this New York City-based quartet employs driving guitar-based rhythms, introspective wordplay, and subtle melodies to create an album good for drowning sorrows or sweeping away life's daily annoyances. "The History of Cleveland," which waxes poetic regarding Hüsker Dü's slim chance of making it to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame among other things, recalls the Byrds in their mid-'60s heyday, when folk-rock was fresh and enthusiasm took precedence over musical expertise. Lyricist/vocalist Matt Gallaway delivers his lines with self-assurance despite his wavering pitch, which serves as the perfect vehicle to render such opening lines as "Entertainment is the future of the world/It's enough to make you wish for something more." Jug band psychedelia emerges in "Mike's Co. #2" with spooky organ textures, looping basslines, and a guitar solo taken from the pages of Jorma Kaukonen's Surrealistic Pillow days. Recorded with clarity by Steve Albini, Pleasure of Ruins' spare arrangements make for accomplished and timeless pop pleasures. ~ Tom Semioli, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
When We Were Anchors for the Sun	Saturnine	Saturnine
Entertainment	Saturnine	Saturnine
The Mad River	Saturnine	Saturnine
Picking Up the Pieces of the World	Saturnine	Saturnine
The History of Cleveland	Saturnine	Saturnine
Juicy Whip	Saturnine	Saturnine
Apples	Saturnine	Saturnine
Mike's Co. #2	Saturnine	Saturnine
Make Way for a New Parade	Saturnine	Saturnine
Theme Song for a Temporary Worker	Saturnine	Saturnine
When I Am a Boatman	Saturnine	Saturnine

Credits

Matt Gallaway (Vocals), Mike Donofrio (Bass), John Pisani (Keyboards), Matt Gallaway (Guitar), Jim Harwood (Drums)