A few months ago I was privileged to catch Bella Ruse when they opened for Healing Power, then still known as Pomegranates. This midwest duo and husband and wife had relocated to Columbus with a sizable fan base (hey, when you’re a struggling indie artist 3000 likes on Facebook is a good amount!). When I asked them to define their sound (described online as “quirk pop”) they said they basically try to play as many instruments as possible, just them while…and yeah, I forgot the rest of what they said. But crunchy quirky pop music does describe them well!
Those Were Good Times, Weren’t They? is without a doubt a summery, breezy record. The thing is chock full of nostalgia and feel good tunes – exactly what the title would imply! Kay Gillette has a voice unlike anything I’ve heard in pop and folk music. It is equal parts airy and strong, and it is so natural that Kay might as well be carrying on a casual conversation with a friend. Her husband Joseph Barker carries the percussion sections well too.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRdO26DwKRA&h=297&w=450]The record defies traditional structure to a degree. “Here’s What I Know” and “Do It Now” serve as dual intros to “Try,” which build upon one another to bring about a warm sense of euphoria that makes you think “Now, THIS is gonna be a fun listen.” The fun has substance, though. “Try” and “Fool” really groove and could almost be dance singles. If Columbus station CD102.5 doesn’t play “Fool” at some point I’ll question reality…not really, just the judgment of their program director (I’m counting on you, Lesley James! You know you want to check it out…). The title track makes ample use of the xylophone, creating a nice hook that sucks you right into the tune. That seems like a thing that people in a band must do these days doesn’t it? Any alternative rock performance must have every band member participating in a drum breakdown at some point, and every indie band must throw in some xylophone at some point. Except, with Bella Ruse it isn’t contrived. And neither are any of the other elements on the record.
Wow, that was a long tangent! Now that I’ve convinced you that the duo knows what they’re doing with instrument choice and composition of feel good tracks, let me assure that they aren’t a one trick pony. “Strangers” and “When You Asked Me For the Moon” are contemplative songs, the latter one being a more pensive look at love in days past. This contemplative-ness is itself catchy though. “Ghost in the Bedroom” has a cool, ethereal violin intro that is the biggest deviation from the overall feel of the album we find. The latter third of the album is just as satisfying as the first two – not chill inducing, but definitely attention grabbing.
If you want something different to fill your playlist than the typical club anthems, Those Were Good Times, Weren’t They? is summer perfection – yet versatile enough for any time of year.
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