Red Cloud Premiere “Say Yeah” Lyric Video From The Ruby Armada Volume One
Eugene, Oregon’s Red Cloud released The Ruby Armada Volume One EP in April and have a corresponding five-song Volume Two ready to go for a digital release later this year — though both are available now, compiled onto a single CD — it’s a wonderful format, uses lasers. The first EP, as one might expect, sets the tone for the second, and though the roots of the band go back at decade, there’s a feeling-out happening across the songs that sounds fresh, and as The Ruby Armada Vol. I & II progresses between one release and the next, there’s a definite uptick in production and purpose. Vocalist/guitarist Aaron Williams has revamped the band’s lineup since they put out the 2016 full-length, Ursa Minor, and the poppish edge songs like
“To All My Friends” and “Say Yeah” (lyric video premiering below) from the first EP is echoed in the full-sounding songraft in “No Left Turn” and the choir-inclusive-and-still-uptempo closer “Viva! Cascadia!”
What I’m saying here is that The Ruby Armada Volume One, from which the song premiering a video below comes, is rougher in terms of sound, and even though its follow-up is done and available to for purchase — not streaming yet — it’s clear that this trio incarnation of the former-four-piece, which now includes Williams alongside drummer Jesse Jackson and bassist Tanner Rauch, is setting out on a new progression of style. Volume One draws more specifically from grunge in “Walk Away” and “To All My Friends,” brings in Year of the Cobra‘s Amy Tung Barrysmith for a guest vocal spot, and stretches over seven minutes, while “Bleu Skies” is comparatively breezy in its circa ’95 the-world’s-about-to-end-and-no-one-knows-it-except-they-did-know-and-no-one-cared roll, and “Say Yeah” holds to a similar sentiment, except for being even more maddeningly catchy. You used to call it “radio friendly.” Now it’s just friendly.
“Say Yeah” also has the added advantage of Juan Carlos Caceres‘ added backing vocals, and it finishes the first EP, while “No Left Turn” immediately points to fellow Oregonians Red Fang‘s classic “Wires” at its outset riff before quickly finding its own chuggy, hooky path and delving into atmospherics in both its middle and end, giving over to the likewise more patient “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the two songs bridging the divide between “Numbers” and the more straight-ahead movements of Volume One to paint a more complete image of the band as a whole. “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is dreamy by the time it’s done, and as Red Cloud careen through “Cut and Run” and “MTNS,” they do so carrying the echo of the pop aspects in “Bleu Skies” and “Say Yeah,” if
leaned more toward modern heavy rock. “MTNS” also hits a little more angular, but is resolved in its comfortable pace, giving over to “Viva! Cascadia!” with its more complex arrangement, highlight solo and homage to their home region.
Between the two of them, Red Cloud — who take their moniker from a Lakota chief; a fairly noteworthy appropriation depending on their origins — establish a sound that refuses to compromise on songwriting in favor of playing to any given style but that should still find welcome among a cross-section of heavy heads. Thinking of The Ruby Armada Vol. I & II as a second debut feels reasonable, but even if it is one, it clearly benefits from the prior experience of the band’s current lineup. A glimpse of progress in progress, and perhaps of progress to come.
Enjoy:
Red Cloud, “Say Yeah” lyric video premiere
“Say Yeah” from Red Cloud’s Ruby Armada Vol I
Featuring Juan Carlos Caceres (Tigers on Opium) on backing vocals
Following the enthusiastically received debut LP Ursa Minor in 2016, now guitarist & vocalist Aaron Williams, bassist Tanner Rauch (Pink Pollen, Paleons), and drummer Alex Crane (The Cruelest Animal, The West Is Burning) present ‘The Ruby Armada’ (2022). Sure to be an enduring favorite, the album comes in two volumes, each with five songs apiece.
“Much of my music,” Williams remarks, “is really about respecting mother earth. It’s a very common theme: rising up to save earth. I feel like I’m channeling most of the time. I won’t even come in with a concept, I’ll just let it roll. “
A gem of modern rock, the album is fused with elements of grunge, alt rock, and stoner metal, which Red Cloud weave together with deft and heart. The result is a collection of songs that are imminently singable. Which song will hook you? Must-listen for fans of Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Screaming Trees, Helms Alee, The Clash, and Dinosaur Jr.
Produced by Aaron Williams and Alex Crane, the double album features contributions from Amy Tung Barrysmith (Year of the Cobra) on “Number” and Juan Carolos Caceres (Tigers on Opium, A//tar, Hound The Wolves) on “Say Yeah.”
The Ruby Armada is coming soon, with the first volume releasing April 22 (digital & cassettes), followed by the second volume early this fall (date TBD).
THE TRACKS
The Ruby Armada: Volume I
1. Walk Away
2. To All My Friends
3. Number
4. Bleu Skies
5. Say Yeah
The Ruby Armada: Volume II
1. No Left Turn
2. Journey To The Center Of The Earth
3. Cut and Run
4. MTNS
5. Viva! Cascadia!
Red Cloud current line-up:
Aaron Williams (guitar, vocals)
Tanner Rauch (bass)
Jesse Jackson (drums)
