Ruark - When You Coming Home
RUARK RELEASES APPEALING ‘WHEN YOU COMING HOME’
Arkansas trio Ruark recently released their debut album, entitled When You Coming Home, a 10-track collection of wonderfully innovative music.
Ruark
Made up of Ruark Inman (guitar, vocals), Alex Joyce (bass), and Jeffery Scott Greer (drums), the band’s sound blends elements of folk, Americana, and folk-rock into songs difficult to pigeonhole into one genre or even an array of genres.
Inman’s voice, a little raspy and a little reedy is vaguely reminiscent of Bob Dylan, probably more because of its phrasing and inflection than actually sounding like Dylan. It’s not a pretty voice, but it is bewitchingly appealing and easy to listen to.
The album begins with the title track, riding a folk-rock melody topped by Inman’s drawling tones. Simple yet powerful, the rhythm is defined by Joyce’s fat bassline and Greer’s crisp drumming.
“Always asking / When you coming home or / If you're coming home / Knowing I'm gonna be alone.”
Highlights on the album include “Sweet Senseless World,” which merges Americana and alt-rock with hints of what’s almost art-pop. As described, it sounds like a weird mixture, but it works well, especially traveling on Greer’s syncopated percussion.
There’s an alluring undulating flow to the rhythm, as Inman’s twangy-lite tones glide overhead on laid-back timbres.
“Naturally” conjures up visions of Dylan covering a Joni Mitchell tune, running on bright guitar riffs, a plump bassline, and straightforward drumming (with tasty fills). There’s an alluring undulating flow to the rhythm, as Inman’s twangy-lite tones glide overhead on laid-back timbres. “Jack of All Trades” features radiant vocal harmonies contrasting with Inman’s granular voice.
“In His Hands” rolls on a tasty teeter-tottering bassline and gentle, subtle guitars. Rife with flavors of both Dylan and Leon Russell, this track and the title track are my two favorites on the album. I love the vocal harmonies on “In His Hands,” exuding gospel-lite colors, emphasizing the devout quality of the lyrics.
“Heard there was a time that I lost your love / That's when I found it somewhere above / No one said love's a walk in the park / But we're not gonna let anything between our hearts / I thank God each and every day / For his unwavering grace / I'm not gonna count my blessing today / Put it in his hands yeah I put it in his hands.”
With When You Coming Home, Ruark delivers authentic music, without regard for prevailing trends. And that’s what makes it so excellent.
