Q101's Pornstar - "refreshing"
Ruth Buzzy: Mission Statement
Veronica Records
There’s something fitting about Ruth Buzzy having a cover of The Beach Boys’ “You Still Believe In Me” on their most recent offering, Mission Statement. The song originated from The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds record, widely considered not a pop masterpiece, but the pop masterpiece. Ruth Buzzy are undeniably a pop-rock group, but their inclusion of “Believe” shows the group taking cues from the masters, rather than creating uninventive mass-appeal pop-rock that can be played alongside Nelly just as easily as Deftones.
Mission Statement also demonstrates that Ruth Buzzy are comfortable alternating between styles, and can do so and still sound like themselves. The group moves effortlessly from the upbeat country vibe that moves “All I Ask,” to “Every Kid Knows,” a fast paced testament to the band’s pop songwriting skills, to the introspective, narrative mid-tempo rock of “Helicopter.” Frontman Phil Schuldt‘s vocals can flirt with annoying at times, but then can switch right to leading some impressive harmonizing. It’s contradictions and shifts in approach like this that both make up Mission Statement, and also keep it refreshing. It’s not that Ruth Buzzy don’t know who they are; it’s that they’re comfortable enough with themselves to delve into multiple pop styles and put something weird next to something pretty. And there’s something to be said for that kind of confidence.
RIYL: Elvis Costello, Cavier, Old-School Weezer