The Jack Rubies Are Back with ‘Visions in the Bowling Alley’
The wild thing about The Jack Rubies is that they sound like a band who never left, even though they basically disappeared for decades.
‘Visions in the Bowling Alley’ is a comeback album, as well as the next weird chapter in a story that just kept going somewhere out of sight. It is sharp, catchy, funny, and kind of unsettling in the best way.
If you came in through ‘Clocks Are Out of Time,’ this one goes deeper and stranger. The songs are packed with jittery guitars, sneaky hooks, and rhythms that creep up on you instead of charging straight ahead. Ian Wright’s vocals still have that dry, half-smiling delivery, like he is letting you in on a secret but not telling you the whole thing. You keep listening because you want to catch what he just slipped past you.
Lyrically it is full of odd little scenes and characters, like ghosts, fake lovers, secret plots, and machines that feel a bit too alive. It sounds trippy, but it never feels random. It feels like everyday paranoia turned into pop songs you can actually dance to. And yeah, it is dark in spots, but there is always this smart, sideways sense of humor running through it.
What really sells the album is how alive it feels. Nothing sounds stiff or polite. You can hear a band enjoying themselves, pushing ideas around, trying strange turns, and landing on melodies that stick way longer than you expect. There is also something kind of moving about hearing a group this seasoned sound this hungry.
Bottom line, ‘Visions in the Bowling Alley’ is the sound of a band locked in, wide awake, and having way too much fun with the chaos of the modern world. Put it on loud, let it spin, and do not overthink it. It works and I love it!
The Jack Rubies Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / X
Big Stir Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / Bandcamp / YouTube
