Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll CD - reviews

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Not Lame
Not quite heard a band like this, I think. At first quick glance `n listen, Ruth`s Hat sounds like The Parasites` and The Donnas(these are all guys here, though) brand of Ramones inspired punk, pop `n roll. But quickly, afterwards, they start patching together some incredibly odd, wildly cool influences. Much of this material sounds like blended party of Weezer, The Beach Boys, The Rubinoos, Green Day, Buddy Holly, Groovie Ghoulies and 60`s Farfisa Spector-pop. All glued together with that Ramones rubber band. Yeah, we said it already---odd, but wildly cool!

Now Wave Magazine
Every time I find myself feeling like a drooling schmuck for overhyping bands that were never that great to begin with (Dropkick Murphys, anyone?), I find solace in the knowledge that a handful of the groups I’ve championed over the years actually are every bit as good as I’ve made them out to be. A case in point: Ruth’s Hat. One can never say enough good things about the Hat. They’re the real deal: a consistently great band that delivers every single time. They’ve got to be North America’s most underrated pop band.  And so now Ruth’s Hat is back with a new album, and all I can say is wow. Sheer fucking brilliance never goes out of style. These cats have stepped up to the plate and smashed the ball way out of the park! All future discussions of elite pop-punk/power pop bands that fail to mention Ruth’s Hat will have to be deemed irrelevant. This new record is the shit! The band has managed to “evolve” its sound without losing the qualities that made its music appealing in the first place---and that’s no small feat. They’ve pulled it off by going even more pop. I wholeheartedly approve! When it comes to any band’s poppiness quotient, too much is never enough. You can NEVER go wrong stressing melody, hooks, and harmonies. Never!  But while these Pepsi-guzzling Americanadian sensations have greatly improved as musicians and songwriters, their approach remains essentially the same: harmony-drenched early American rock n’ roll and 60’s-style pop played with the crunchy, punchy panache of 90’s punk. Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers hijack a time machine, score some speed, discover The Ramones, and head off into the future in search of 21st Century pop-punk poon tang. Doo wop, Merseybeat, rockabilly, and surf-rock are rolled together and pumped full of peppy punk velocity. What’s not to love about this band?  The group sounds tighter, and the production is better. But the vibe is the same as ever. The Ruth’s Hat experience still encapsulates the vibrant spirit of feelgood summertime rock n’ roll. When you’re listening to this band, it’s eternally a warm day in July. Pretty girls, sunny days, and the Beach Boys reign supreme. You’re cruisin’ with the top down, your radio is cranked to full blast, and life is full of endless possibilities. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Rock and Roll is perhaps the purest display of straight-ahead power pop/punk/rock n’ roll genius since the first Muffs LP came out a decade ago. Simple pop bliss prevails here. No seven-minute songs about dragons, no rapping, no marathon guitar solos, no mosh pit breakdowns, no jazz wanking, and no funk workouts. Just upbeat, super-catchy, hard-edged pop gems replete with great lead vocals and those to-die-for harmonies! Good god, the tuneage is hot: “Don’t Walk Away”, “Sad Songs”, “Arthur And Tricia”, “You’re The One For Me”, “I Only Sing For Me”, and “How Can I Be Right?” (nice Gary Glitter rip-off, fellas!) are easily the band’s best songs to date. The less retro-sounding songs (especially “Sundays In September”) remind me of The Smoking Popes, and I mean that as a supreme compliment.  If you’ve been waiting for Ruth’s Hat to produce a whole album’s worth of songs as good as the best tunes on Bye Bye Love, your wait is over. You’ve finally found the album that’ll have you dancing and singing along until you drop. And Grandma will like it too.  Just think of how amazing Ruth’s Hat could be if P.J. switched to Coca-Cola. Bring on the Ruth’s Hat singles collection!--Joshua Blake Rutledge, opinionated asshole

All Music Guide
If MXPX or The Queers went back in time to the 1950s, this is what they would sound like. Good harmonies, songs about girls and catchy as hell tunes make the 13 songs on this album a surefire hit for fans of the pop punk genre. Utilizing some extra instruments such as keyboards and added percussion helps flesh out the sound to the point where even some non-pop punk fans could get into this. While some of the sound can be redundant, fans of the genre probably won't mind. And for a genre whose drawbacks include redundancy, this is a surprisingly fresh angle to take on the sound. — Kurt Morris

Impact Press
Cripes that's a long CD title. This is what I like to hear a bunch of guys having fun playing music. This is unpretentious, high-energy, pop-punk with melodies and some keyboards here and there...do I hear some Chuck Berry in there? If these guys haven't been listening to 50's and 60's music, they fooled me. (SH)

Shredding Paper #16
On their second full-length, the Canadian pop punkers have done both some addition and subtraction, but the end result all adds up to a fine pop punk effort.   Missing is some of the sloppy fun and speed racer style 1-2-3-4 punk that occasionally dripped over the melody, and added are a couple of slower songs and keyboards that work well with their rich melodies.   They've slowly started to evolve into a band that sounds more like the Smoking Popes than anything else, with a little quirk in the melodies on occasion and some nice lyrical twists.   Lots of songs about driving and cars and girls, and they're all fun.   A band that's growing with every effort; hopefully the leap to a larger label will get them some richly deserved attention.   (Steve)


The Punk Site.com
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy..wait, no, it's the guide to rock and roll! Ruth's Hat have graced Fast Music with their sophomore release, "The Hitchhiker's Guide To Rock And Roll" (obviously a spoof on the hilarious book/tv mini series from the 70s). The album itself features 13 songs from this incredibly unique band. Why are they so unique you ask? Quite simply because of the major mixture of musical influence they have in their songs.  Of course there is the catchy pop-punk found all over the place. Mesmerizing guitar riffs and jumpy drum beats which gets your foot tapping. But they don't stop there. They add a sort of 50s feel to it all. Think of the hit movie "Grease" (John Travolta); it's somewhat like that. This mixture of musical talent gives you something you've never heard before. Their vocals are incredibly catchy; the lyrics are often about girls, but always have a different spin to them ("please break up with me"). They too are catchy and get you pulling out the lyric book ("Tricia McMillian, you're one in a trillion").  If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill pop-punk CD, then this is not it. If you're looking for something slightly different, then Ruth's Hat is where it's at! (B. Gorman)

Journal Review Press, July 2003
As far as punk music labels go, Fastmusic doesn't remain satisfied with the genre's current standards.  The latest evidence of this restlessness comes in the form of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll," the second full-length from Ruth's Hat.   The suits at Fastmusic must search high and low in high schools and dingy dives worldwide searching for that next artist who will turn the bloated punk scene on its head and inject some much-needed diversity.  Ruth's Hat describes itself as "Buddy Holly on Speed," to give you an intial description.  "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll," partially recorded and mixed at Lafayette's Sonic Iguana, perfectly branches 1950s Rock n' Roll and vestiges of punk into a dynamically played and tight package.    There are plenty of contemporary influences on hand to keep jaded scenesters moderately assuaged.   "Rock and/or Roll" has a stock punk chord progression with lots of stops and starts.   There's also the fast and furious guitars on "Too Late" and drummer Tony Blay's four-on-the-floor stomp in "Sag Songs."  But there's also such tasty numbers as "You're the One for Me," a remarkable rendition of a 50s rock n' roll love song with amped-up guitars: "I never wanted a love in my life, but girl when I found you it only seemed right."  On "Breakdown," the members of Ruth's Hat harmonize like a barbershop quartet over some serious rawk speed.   "How Can I Be Right?" is a beat-heavy, "Leader of the Pack"-style foray and "The Driving Song" is an amazing combination of punk and bluegrass.  In terms of lyrics, while some of the songs are exercises in love cheese, Ruth's Hat should also be recognized for writing prose containing sharp wit and sarcasm.  Case in point is "Sure as Hell Ain't Thinkin'," which contains the best kiss-off verse ever written:  "I sure as hell ain't thinkin' 'bout the time that we used to spend/I been up all night drinkin' but I don't want to make amends/I get completely blotto so with drunken bravado I can overzealously declare/Sure as hell ain't thinkin' 'bout you when you're not there."  "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll" just might be one of those rare records where both parents and their kids can find something to like.   Buddy Holly on Speed, indeed.   It's the soundtrack to a modern "Happy Days." (Wade Coggeshall)

Amp Magazine
If you like your punk super poppy and fun, Ruth’s Hat never fails to supply a bucketful. Another solid collection of instantly catchy tunes with a good hint of classic ‘50s rock and roll. (JC)

Read Magazine
Cute and fun pop-punk with roots firmly in the 50s vocal group tradition, with songs of heartbreak and love lost. Very similar to the Travoltas, but less "Help Me Rhonda" and more "Earth Angel", and of course amped up to Queers speed. With emphasis on harmony, this is punk to bop around to, and I sure do like to bop. Bop bop.

Maximum Rock N' Roll #243
Made Ray Lujan's top 10 for this issue.  Harmonies, geeky "wish we were cool but we're not" high voices, Mutant Pop vets, yadda yadda yadda.  Note to band:  I know you're Canadian, but wearing shorts on stage makes you look like a bunch of 'tads.   Consider investing in nice trousers or possibly jeans.  (the ever fickle Bobby Manic)

New Haven Advocate
A fresh-faced, party-happy, indie pop band whose members think they're clever. Sometimes, as with the understated "Sundays in September," they are. Mostly chunky riffs with self-consciously comic lyrics.

City Media
Ruth's Hat, a band familiar with the London music scene, is back with their brand of pop-rock just in time for the season their music was made for.  With the release of The Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll, they make their considerable contribution to the things Grand Benders will be familiar with: fun, sun, cars and girls. For fun, they thoughtfully toss in lines about alcohol consumption.  Clearly, the stage is set for an album of two and three minute carefree memories.  Often described as the bringers of summertime rock and roll, Ruth's Hat are known for their ability to mix layered harmonies into what qualifies as modern pop-punk.  Although it's not entirely fair to group them, or their new album, into the politically charged atmosphere that is punk rock, it's easy to see where this label originates. Most of their songs contain rearranged power chords with simple melodies disguised as contemporary pop hits.  When Ruth's Hat sticks to their harmonic style, the songs speed along with enjoyable ease. However, when lead vocalist Mike Sloan tries to add elements of angst or snarl to the disc's playful nature, the result is a departure from what works best. He would be better advised to hum along like Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies like he does on Sundays in September and How Can I Be Right?  Sloan, a teacher at London's Fanshawe College is again joined here by his guitarist brother P. J. The pair provide the band's American components, while drummer Tony Blay and brothers Jack (bass) and Mike (Bolus) McCallum (guitar) -- all of London -- add the Canadian content.  Two sets of brothers. Two countries represented. And they perform live wearing five matching bowling shirts.  Don't be put off by the apparent novelty that accompanies Ruth's Hat. They are a unique and talented band and on The Hitchhiker's Guide to Rock and Roll come very close to putting all the elements of their music together. With an increased production budget, it is apparent that they are a band capable of great things.  While the latest album, the second full length released by Ruth's Hat, probably won't be the one that takes them to rock and roll greatness, it is a pleasing start down that path. 3 stars
- Tristan Staddon

Ska Punk and Other Junk
Second disc from this Poppy punk rock n' roll band. They are a mix between
Buddy Holly, The Beach Boys and The Muppets. I think the singer sounds like
Kermit the Frog a little bit.  A lot of their songs are very similar to the
50's rock songs, even the love songs from that era.
Notable Tracks: "Don't Walk Away" "Arthur and Tricia"
- Bryan

Fairfield Weekly - A.D.D Reviews
"In and out in 10 seconds flat"
Pop punk is a genre in which it is quite difficult not to be irritating.
The single most important factor in determining the annoyance level is the
vocals.  The London-Ontario-Detroit-Michigan-based Ruth's
Hat have some really catchy songs on their new CD but 
the tracks "Rock and/or Roll," "Breakdown" and "The Driving
Song" are good enough that I'd be willing to go see them live.
- Mike Sembos