Surf's Down EP - reviews

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Vinyl-a-Go-Go
Let's see...1. A new Ruth's Hat single, 2. A novelty record devoted to surfing, put out by a bunch of guys very, very far from the ocean, 3. Gorgeous, thick, Mountain Dew (in a good way) colored vinyl, 4. A new label putting out vinyl...all in all a killer release I'd say.  You really can't go wrong with Ruth's Hat.  These Canadian/U.S. hybrids have been at it for quite some time now, constantly knocking the kids out with their luscious harmonies, by way of the Everly Brothers, mixed with poppy-three-chord rock and roll, doing it all with style.  Although last years Bye Bye Love was quite an album, I still consider Ruth's Hat to be a singles band.  After all they did put out some of my favorite singles of the last few years.  The band starts out their ode to surfing with "Great Lakes Surfer," a song about, well, surfing on the Great Lakes and all that it entails. When I first heard the band play this song at last summer's Mutant Pop fest I immediately turned to Josh Rutledge and said, "Didn't that sound just like The Kung Fu Monkey's "Office Surfer"?"...at which point he gave a reply that went something like, "Yeah, well they're both surf songs..." Duh. So, this is a surf song. And it rocks too! There's a killer farfisa solo in the middle to keep ya happy, and the recording lets those patented vocal harmonies shine through in great big heaping helpings. Put on some headphones and let the good times roll. Although surfing isn't my thing I'll gladly blast this tune outta my car window while heading down to the lake.   Hopefully all the cute bikini-clad girls will glance my way and smile (or at least look at me). Oh yeah, I forgot, I can't tape records on my dumbass stereo, so I guess I'll just have to stay home. But alas...the next song.  "Surfer Joe" is a goofy little number about a guy named Joe who loves surfing but ends up joining the Marines and hates it...poor joe. I sometimes forget about the whole Canadian thing when I hear Ruth's Hat, but on the talking-styled vocals on this song it really shines through....which is cool cuz I like Canadians.  This summertime romp of a slab of wax ends with "Sunset Beach" another song that shows off those great harmonies and has an even sweeter organ solo that's worth four bucks alone.   It's that cool. A great song to end a very cool record that I am proud to stick in my record box along with all my other Ruth's Hat records.

Headdip Zine
A fucking great 3-song 7"-ep by ruth's hat, one of the greatest bands punk rock has to offer right now.  Their mix of catchy melodies, fifties vocal back-ups (listen to the Sloan brothers and find out how they deliver one of the best back-up thingies I've ever heard), loud guitars and short songs - as charming as fuck plus danceable as fuck! Hum along with these guys when they kick-start with "Great Lakes Surfer", the best song on this shithot piece of wax & I'm sure your new fav ruth's hat song.   Many ruth's hat songs have a surfy flair, but this little beastie will make you grab your old surfboard again. Beach, summer, girls & cheapo beer.  Comes on beachy yellow wax too!  "Ramones mixed up with Beach Boys" really fits.  Wanna hit the beach?!

Now Wave
 Ruth's Hat. Ruth's Hat? Ruth's Hat! What can be said about this band that hasn't already been said? Rock-n-roll band. Fun. Two Americans. Three Canadians. A sense of humor. Juicy harmonies and frantic tempos. Jumping around your bedroom, playing with your big seven-inch. Singing along. Dancing. Loving life. Buddy Holly on speed. Why can't more bands be like Ruth's Hat? SURF'S DOWN is the first new RH release in over a year, and it delivers the advertised musical merriment----and then some! "Great Lakes Surfer", the peppy A-side track, is a pleasing early Beach Boys homage that BEGS for repeated spins on your turntable. It's lively, catchy, and brilliantly ironic. The flip kicks out a cover of "Surfer Joe" and a frenzied original called "Sunset Beach".  Fab! Summer has arrived; this spirited rock-fest is just what my soul craves! When so much hope has been lost and so few rock-n-roll bands remember the significance of the ROLL, Ruth's Hat's revved-up goodtime tunes strike the palate like ice-cold lemonade on the hottest day of the year! It's time to go outside and LIVE, man!

Now Wave (Welch)
Another Ruth's Hat 7"?! They do like a million a year. Not that I'm complaining. Ruth's Hat is incredible. They are truly original and never cease to amaze me.  This 7" is (if you can't tell, dumbass) surf-themed. You get 3 tracks, my favorite being "Great Lakes Surfer." Everything is done well, there are rocking leads, keyboards, and the vocals are awesome(which is expected!). But the fun doesn't end there! The packaging is complete color; the vinyl is thick and European(just the way I like it! Wait, that didn't come out right). Get this.

Maximum Rock N' Roll #218, July 2001
TOP 10s:  Surf's Down earned Top 10 status with Kenny Kaos and Dulcinea Loudmouth
Maybe I'm just getting jaded, maybe my ears are going bad, but these guys just don't get me the way they used to.   They still have hooks and harmonies, it's still poppy and cute, but I'm just not digging it like I used to...maybe it's because I hate the beach.   Mutant Poppers take note...this is right up your alley.  (BM)