Colorado’s RubyJoyful fuses the considerable talents of singer/songwriter Dan Rubinoff and vocalist/upright bassist Joice Moore into a sparkling whole. Their particular brand of original Americana fare already enjoys a growing live following that’s set to exponentially expand with the release of their debut album The Pie Chart of Love. Singer/guitarist Eli Emmitt and percussionist David Alderdice join the duo for the album’s dozen songs, but Rubinoff and Moore’s chemistry is front and center across the entire release. They produce an unique brand of musical magic with obvious reference points to the past but boasts undeniable freshness that never smacks of pastiche.
URL: https://rubyjoyfulband.com/
The three-way dance between mandolin, acoustic guitar, and fiddle propelling “10 to 1 Love Wins” ingratiates itself with listeners from the outset. The clipped bluesy charms of the track are apparent as well. It strikes an appealing balance between unimpeachable songcraft and instrumental showcases that never risk self-indulgence; everything serves the song. “All My Friends Got More Money Than Me” opens with particularly fleet-fingered acoustic guitar work before the vocals begin. Rubinoff has a slight nasal tinge in his vocals that helps give them an additional rustic quality. This track rates as one of the highlights on an album packed with such moments thanks to its vulnerability, intelligence, and superb arranging.
“Some People” is another song sparkling with personality. The laconic vocal delivery helps the straightforward lyrical content stand out, and it has the auspicious distinction of being quite an idiosyncratic love song. You have not heard anything quite like it before. The backing vocals are a further nice touch that elevates the track. “October Skies” features some of the album’s finest instrumental work. Dazzling guitar work gives this cut a sleek intensity that stands out even among such a fine overall collection, and the skillful lyrics are among The Pie Chart of Love’s best.
One of the album’s undisputable showstoppers comes with the improbably titled “How My Lil’ Punk Girl Fell in Love with John Prine”. It is another instrumental dazzler despite its unassuming tone thanks to stellar piano and pedal steel playing scattered throughout the tune. The song’s command of significant detail is one of the keys to its success, and Rubinoff’s sensitive vocal rendition never plays the cut for laughs. “Take What You Will” is one of the best examples of their musical skill included in the release. The arrangement undergoes an about-face at the halfway mark and evolves yet again before its conclusion without Rubinoff and his cohorts missing a single step along the way.
The delicate poetic imagery driving the finale “On the Way to Alone” provides a perfect conclusion for this collection. It cumulates during the song’s chorus with singular grace that invites repeated listens. You will want to do that with the entire album to relish the seeming effortlessness of RubyJoyful’s artistry. The Pie Chart of Love does not bellow, beat its chest, or pretend to be anything it isn’t. It is an intensely human release that finds poetry in shared experiences.
Garth Thomas