Destroyer's Rubies
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Destroyer's Rubies Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 124 Ratings

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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. Spin
    91
    Hooky, spare, and lush all at once. [Mar 2006, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Lost At Sea
    90
    Destroyer’s Rubies is every bit as marvelous as his landmark Streethawk: A Seduction.
  4. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Destroyer’s Rubies is one of those rare albums whose literary value is so compelling as to make any imperfections simply blend in as an essential part of the storyline.
  5. 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.
  6. The New York Times
    80
    It feels like an event: grand, sumptuous, sometimes seductive.
  7. 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

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 74
  3. Negative: 10 out of 74
  1. 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 amazinglyCan’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
  2. 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 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
  4. 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.
  5. Erik
    Mar 3, 2006
    9
    The best album of 2006 so far. (March 3rd) Worthy of multiple listens. Strikingly original.
  6. codedelphi
    Jun 11, 2006
    9
    As a person who often buys music on impulse based upon metacritic ratings, I purchased this without knowing what I was getting myself into. As a person who often buys music on impulse based upon metacritic ratings, I purchased this without knowing what I was getting myself into. Also, as a 'metacritic' purchaser I approach all music I purchase with an open mind and am very rarely disappointed. This album continues that trend. A great album that simply gets better and better with replays. Like a good wine it gets deeper into your veins with each playing, the result being a pleasant warm glow rather than the immediate adrenaline hit of more accessible music!… Expand
  7. rt
    Jan 9, 2008
    6
    Despite strong musicality, this is generally a below average effort. Almost every song features the same wordless vocal interlude of 'ya Despite strong musicality, this is generally a below average effort. Almost every song features the same wordless vocal interlude of 'ya la la la la la.' Another stylistic bit to be featured over and over (and over and over) is his tendency to deliver long, unrhymed lines, until finally speed-reading a paragraph over instruments swelling to a fever pitch in the background. Usually this is immediately followed by one of the 'ya da la la' sequences. Both these techniques are effective when used occasionally. Unfortunately, they both occur way too often to be anything other than embarrassing.… Expand
  8. laurenw
    Mar 2, 2006
    0
    no words neccessary...

See all 74 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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