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    7ball #17
    7ball #17/Rich Young Ruler
    Rich Young Ruler — Rich Young Ruler cover

    Rich Young Ruler

    Rich Young Ruler

    Reviewed by Dan MacIntosh

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label Benson Records7ball #17March/April 1998
    jangle popfolk rock

    For their debut, Rich Young Ruler richly demonstrates the sounds which dominated the airwaves back when groups like The Beach Boys, America, and The Byrds ruled the music world. There probably hasn't been a "magical" album like this since Randy Stonehill's Wonderama (which makes sense, when you consider that both albums were produced by Terry Taylor). And the only magical land where one can both catch the perfect wave, and connect on the most goosebump-inducing vocal harmony, is where mankind is finally united with the heavenly Father. Or as they say in the song "Take It Anywhere," It's a good time to leave the world behind. In other words, much of the music here can best be described as little moments of Heaven. The music of Rich Young Ruler contrasts so beautifully with much of the angst-ridden primal scream therapy of modern rock. Harmonies float by like angelic descendants of Brian Wilson's imagination; guitars jingle-jangle with McGuinn-esque regularity, and the songs retain an otherworldly innocence last witnessed on planet Earth in the charts of '70s AM top 40 radio. Of course, Rich Young Ruler hasn't completely abandoned the cares of this world, since many of these songs address the pain of romantic heartbreak. It's the kind of album which may cause other land-locked groups to chill green with envy, and longingly wish they all could be California bands.

    Also in 7ball #17

    Pep Squad — No DoyCloud2Ground — e-majnThe Late Late Service — Dry Bones DancingNinety Pound Wuss — Where the Meager Die of Self-InterestSend the Beggar — Send the BeggarTragedy Ann — LesserReflescent Tide — Spring CatalogOneMan — OneManVarious Artists — 4th Anniversary Tooth & Nail Box SetQuayle — Quayle