For their debut, Rich Young Ruler richly demonstrates the sounds which dominated the airwaves back when groups like The Beach Boys, America, and The Byrds ruled the music world. There probably hasn't been a "magical" album like this since Randy Stonehill's Wonderama (which makes sense, when you consider that both albums were produced by Terry Taylor). And the only magical land where one can both catch the perfect wave, and connect on the most goosebump-inducing vocal harmony, is where mankind is finally united with the heavenly Father. Or as they say in the song "Take It Anywhere," It's a good time to leave the world behind. In other words, much of the music here can best be described as little moments of Heaven. The music of Rich Young Ruler contrasts so beautifully with much of the angst-ridden primal scream therapy of modern rock. Harmonies float by like angelic descendants of Brian Wilson's imagination; guitars jingle-jangle with McGuinn-esque regularity, and the songs retain an otherworldly innocence last witnessed on planet Earth in the charts of '70s AM top 40 radio. Of course, Rich Young Ruler hasn't completely abandoned the cares of this world, since many of these songs address the pain of romantic heartbreak. It's the kind of album which may cause other land-locked groups to chill green with envy, and longingly wish they all could be California bands.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Alex KlagesThe first thing that came to my mind as this album started to play in my stereo was that this band sounds an awful lot like early Jacob's Trouble. The second thing that came to mind was that it wasn't fair to pre-judge a band on the first 15 seconds of their first song. So, having listened all the way through the album, I'd have to say that my initial suspicions were, on the whole, confirmed.…Similar sounding releases
1999Skatman MeredithThe Garden
1998Three CrossesSkinny Flowers
1996Lost DogsGreen Room Serenade, Part One
2003R.E.M.The Best of R.E.M.: In Time 1988-2003
2002Matt RedmanWhere Angels Fear To Tread
2001Eric PetersLand of the Living
