Destroyer's Rubies
by Destroyer
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 124 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 124
  3. Negative: 15 out of 124

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  1. RogerS
    Mar 6, 2006
    10
    Vancouver sound? Is there such a thing? I heard this one was good so I tried it and liked it on the first listen. This is music to be creative with. I wanted to get my "watercolours" out and paint. There is poetry in this and sort of like My Morning Jacket or music for independance. Music that just sounds really good.
  2. MatsL
    May 2, 2006
    10
    just finished listen to this, this great shit...! easily his best album yet. could it perhaps be one of the best albums this year...?
  3. PeytonJ
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    I can already guess this will be in my top 10 albums of the year, hands down. I'm a newcomer to Dan Bejar outside of the New Pornos, but i already like this album so much more than Twin Cinema. Brilliant!
  4. PeterP
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    This album is subtle where it needs to be and outright at just the right points. Destroyer fans will be handsomely rewarded with all the self-referential lyrics, and newcomers will be teased into the exhuberant literary and musical experience that we have come to expect from sex god Dan Bejar.
  5. scooss
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    This is a great album that gets better with every listen. If you're a fan of Destroyer you won't be disapointed.
  6. mikes
    Mar 30, 2006
    10
    This is going to be in my top 5 this year no matter what, I can't stop listening to it.....furthermore I do not gripe about vocals....many great artists don't have an "ideal" singing voice(see Dylan,Waits,John Darnielle for example)...its fresh to hear music that is so creative!
  7. AaronS
    Apr 20, 2006
    10
    As of right now, my favorite album of the year. By December, this is certain to remain in the top five. Bejar's eccentric vocals and superior, at times surreal songwriting skills are evident on every single track, making this a treat from start to finish. One of Destroyer's best efforts. It's certainly the most accessible release from Bejar to date.
  8. DavidH
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    I really don't think anyone who gives this album less than 8/10 has any idea about music/lyrics/poetry. But that's my opinion. I agree wholeheartedly with Ross W in the sense that if people are just buying albums because they are in the critics top 10....then disappointment through ignorance or lack of appreciation is the only outcome. Can these people go back and listen to I really don't think anyone who gives this album less than 8/10 has any idea about music/lyrics/poetry. But that's my opinion. I agree wholeheartedly with Ross W in the sense that if people are just buying albums because they are in the critics top 10....then disappointment through ignorance or lack of appreciation is the only outcome. Can these people go back and listen to Thief/Streethawk/Your Blues + New Pornographers for some background.......PLEASE!!!!… Expand
  9. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    This is the best album I've heard in the last decade. I loved it when I first heard it, but it actually grew better and better with every listen, surpassing Bejar's previous albums, lyrically and musically. It joins my personal collection of desert island albums. A masterpiece. All of those who have the gall to put Bob Dylan's Modern Times on a pedestal with his earlier This is the best album I've heard in the last decade. I loved it when I first heard it, but it actually grew better and better with every listen, surpassing Bejar's previous albums, lyrically and musically. It joins my personal collection of desert island albums. A masterpiece. All of those who have the gall to put Bob Dylan's Modern Times on a pedestal with his earlier classics are merely craving something in the absence of modern-day classics. This is that album they crave. This is the album they need.… Expand
  10. rayray
    May 10, 2007
    10
    People who dont get it shouldnt hate. They should just ignore and go critic something else. This is a brillant record by a brillant artist. No one ever said he sings like Elvis. People said the same on Dylan and Dylan remains Dylan.
  11. TravisB
    Oct 30, 2006
    10
    Although the songs vary in length, ranging from three to nine minutes, each and every one on the album is phenomenal and inspiring. The picaresque lyrics alone could be enough for you to fall in love with this album, but they are just the tip of the emotional iceberg. The production allows every instrument to soar across the musical canvas and strike your eardrum in a delicate and Although the songs vary in length, ranging from three to nine minutes, each and every one on the album is phenomenal and inspiring. The picaresque lyrics alone could be enough for you to fall in love with this album, but they are just the tip of the emotional iceberg. The production allows every instrument to soar across the musical canvas and strike your eardrum in a delicate and enchanting manner. In a nut shell, we have a great progressive rock album… Expand
  12. hondaj
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    Sit down and listen, and you'll find lyrically dense, surprisingly melodic affair
  13. LGrace
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    with this fantastic release, dan should be able to expand his listening audience outside beyond its small, rabid, internet-bound fan base and become extraordinarily wealthy.... even beyond his wild fantasies.
  14. BuddyH
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    Absolutely classic!!!
  15. Veg
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    Dan Bejar is truly one of the best songwriters of this decade and this record confirms it. For a Destroyer fan, this album is a whole hell of a lot more than you could ever have expected. For the new fans this is a great introduction to a classic songwriter.
  16. justinb
    Feb 27, 2006
    10
    repeated listens needed to find out how great this one is.
  17. TBone
    Mar 11, 2006
    10
    If starting with this and trying to figure out the hype, I'd start with 3000 Flowers and Your Blood. I was torn on first listen whether this was contrived BS or really really good. After a few weeks, I say the latter. And I keep wanting to listen to it. And on top of that I'm not a New Pornographers fan or fan of Canadian music in general. I give this a 10 because it's hard If starting with this and trying to figure out the hype, I'd start with 3000 Flowers and Your Blood. I was torn on first listen whether this was contrived BS or really really good. After a few weeks, I say the latter. And I keep wanting to listen to it. And on top of that I'm not a New Pornographers fan or fan of Canadian music in general. I give this a 10 because it's hard for me to figure out how this won't end up in my top 5 for the year, not because it's the next Pavement.… Expand
  18. BenW
    Mar 18, 2006
    10
    As a massive David bowie fan, i now feel i have another artist, in a comparable way, that I can listen to and love for many years to come. This will definitely be in my Top 5 at year end.
  19. rollandb
    Mar 3, 2006
    10
    no words necessary...
  20. JimH.
    Apr 25, 2006
    10
    Better than Your Blues, more profound, more accessible. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say it's not as good as his older stuff or that his voice sounds stilted. I think it's easily the equal of Streethawk if not better.
  21. PeterM
    Apr 25, 2006
    10
    AThe best album of the year. Beej is his own genre and this is his most realized work to dtae. Don't feel bad if you can't properly sing along at the show. The man can't stay put. Plus, he's really drunk and wants to get it over with. But a studio master he is turining out to be, yes indeed.
  22. mr.hankey
    Jun 12, 2006
    10
    The album is the best of the year so far channeling past Cat Power and others. For all the hype this year ( Artic Monkeys ) this is the album that deserves it. Being so unique and creative is not a bad thing just ask Dan Bejar himself. For this is a triumph in independent music because so far this year I had not found anything equivalent to my top five of last year but looks like The album is the best of the year so far channeling past Cat Power and others. For all the hype this year ( Artic Monkeys ) this is the album that deserves it. Being so unique and creative is not a bad thing just ask Dan Bejar himself. For this is a triumph in independent music because so far this year I had not found anything equivalent to my top five of last year but looks like we've got a match. Rubies is a brilliant track that stands out lyrically and musically because it is so experimental. The songs go as if they are a story of truth and bold meaning. Overall the best album of the year!!! ( so far ). Also if you like this album Twin Cinema is recommended because as everyone knows Dan Bejar worked with the New Pornographers. It definitely deserves the rating!… Expand
  23. WesM.
    Aug 31, 2008
    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!
  24. Jared
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    9. something. Just brilliant plus "3000 Flowers" is indelibly catchy.
  25. Anthony
    Jun 28, 2006
    10
    Stupendous album! All the tracks are great! For the people who claim Bejar's voice sucks, they have never heard Dylan.
  26. Cat
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Wow. I regret not hearing this earlier! But this is all and all a fantastic album. Contrary to what others have said, I actually really like Dan Bejar's voice. Combine that with charming classic rock-styled melodies, plenty of layered piano and brilliant lyrics, and you've already sold me, but the thing that put it over the top for me was the skewing of a Van Morrison song that Wow. I regret not hearing this earlier! But this is all and all a fantastic album. Contrary to what others have said, I actually really like Dan Bejar's voice. Combine that with charming classic rock-styled melodies, plenty of layered piano and brilliant lyrics, and you've already sold me, but the thing that put it over the top for me was the skewing of a Van Morrison song that I've always hated in the wonderful "A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point"… Expand
  27. TerryB
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    Dan Bejar's monumental ambition to bring a high-minded sensibility to rock in a new and deeply profound way has finally come to fruition; previous albums were very, very good but "Destroyer's Rubies" makes them look like practice sessions.
  28. AlexanderK
    Dec 12, 2006
    10
    wonderful spring album, the best of 2006 for me so far Bejar is a genius
  29. mononclesteve
    Jan 31, 2021
    10
    Can’t pretend to be anywhere near knowledgeable enough about music to critique this album. In my eyes, it’s a timeless one with an amazingly rich sound. It’s also among my favourite records. The word play remains as enigmatic as ever, but it’s really the fullness, depth and soul of the songs, individually, and feeling of the album as a whole that make Rubies special for me. Some veryCan’t pretend to be anywhere near knowledgeable enough about music to critique this album. In my eyes, it’s a timeless one with an amazingly rich sound. It’s also among my favourite records. The word play remains as enigmatic as ever, but it’s really the fullness, depth and soul of the songs, individually, and feeling of the album as a whole that make Rubies special for me. Some very talented musicians were recorded at the peak of their game, no more than Mr Bejar, himself. This might be a little indulgent for some, but for me it straddles perfection… Expand
  30. exodus9237
    Mar 2, 2016
    10
    It's very difficult to not love this album after the first listen. But is practically impossible to do it after a few more. It's perfect, Dan Bejar really knows how to balance a song, with good melodies, rhythms and an excellent songwriting. Every song hear has its own personality but they also contribute to make the album work as a whole. A very good listen for anyone who likesIt's very difficult to not love this album after the first listen. But is practically impossible to do it after a few more. It's perfect, Dan Bejar really knows how to balance a song, with good melodies, rhythms and an excellent songwriting. Every song hear has its own personality but they also contribute to make the album work as a whole. A very good listen for anyone who likes indie-rock but an excellent listen for the ones that like how this music can change its form and evolve into something else.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2006
37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2006
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    His insider snipes at indie-rock pretense show Wildean wit. [24 Feb 2006, p.64]
  2. Pitchfork
    85
    Encapsulating and elevating the best of Destroyer's back catalog, Destroyer's Rubies serves as a potent reminder that the intelligence of Bejar's songs has never obfuscated their emotional weight.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    80
    Bejars songs have, in the past, sometimes seemed like vehicles for his lyrics, yet with Destroyer’s Rubies he seems to have made peace with the musical element of his work as well.
    Read full review
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