Destroyer's Rubies - Destroyer
Destroyer's Rubies Image
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 111 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Dan Bejar's seventh Destroyer record is as lyrically dense as ever, but marks a shift to a full-band, guitar-oriented sound after 2004's more eclectic 'Your Blues.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    It's an easy Destroyer album to love, approachable as both a collection of strong rock songs and a literary exercise in just how far songs can stretch to make sense of the words within them.
  2. cokemachineglow
    92
    Destroyer’s Rubies evinces an awareness of a feeling that “I’ve heard something like this before, and really enjoyed it” while denying the listener enough material specifics to follow-up with “It was on this record, recorded by this band, which I listened to when I was this old.”
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Destroyer's Rubies is an inadvertent Guide To Destroyer - every defining quirk, every 70's pop nod and ill-advised but forgivable falsetto is condensed and framed, only without becoming something fans of Bejar will have all heard before.
  4. Billboard
    60
    Overall, listeners will struggle to classify "Rubies," as much for Bejar's blurring of bluesy folk, pop and lo-fi indie rock as his unconventional delivery.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 72
  3. Negative: 10 out of 72
  1. WesM.
    10
    (I forget whether or not I already rated this) Anyway, it takes a few listens, but every track - with expected variance, and if you can handle the pretentiousness - is really good indie rock!… Expand
  2. romanmc
    8
    I tend to think David Bowie plus Stevie Wonder multiplied by completely stream of consciousness in the lyrics = Destroyer, but all that is just a neat way to try to sum this sound up. Summing it up is kind of impossible. If you fashion yourself quite the noveau musical hipster, you should give it a shot. Even the haters have to love "Watercolours."… Expand
  3. ReubenF
    7
    Destoyer challenged Indie notions of artistic integrity on his last LP 'Your Blues', featuring MIDI-simulated orchestration as its backing music. This album returns to Indie convention, which could be seen as a retreat. 'Painter In Your Pocket' is a stand out track, a dreamy song that drifts through a quiet evening at home alone. Other more guitar driven songs like '3,000 Flowers' are less successful.… Expand
  4. staubin
    4
    for some reason, whenever i hear bejar's voice, i am reminded of an evil scheming wizard. which is a shame, since the songs are so well constructed.… Expand

See all 72 User Reviews

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