Found another new band that I really like this year. Ruby Dawn released an awesome debut album back on April 20th of this year. I missed it then, but found it recently. The album is titled Beyond Tomorrow, and it was released by the Progressive Gears Records label. This album has definitely piqued my interest in this band way…Beyond Tomorrow. This band’s debut, is stunning, and after reading this review, you will see that I think they are very close to peak performance, right from this ambitious start. I only expect better things in their future.
Ruby Dawn is made up of the following members: Carola Baer, who sings lead vocals and plays keyboards; Dave Salsbury, plays lead guitar; Ian Turner, plays bass guitar and additional keyboards; and Adam J. Perry, plays drums. This is their first album, but this crew sounds like they have been playing for years.
After previewing this album, I recognized a slight similarity between this album and one of my favorite albums of last year, Her Shadow’s, The Ghost Love Chronicles; and that is a very good thing!
The Ruby Dawn Band, according to their press release, “Performs hypnotic powerful and ambient grooves with a social conscience, creating a rich and unique progressive rock sound that weaves emotional intensity with captivating lyrical expressions and goosebump heart pounding drive”. Yes, indeed. The tracks on Beyond Tomorrow, “Were developed from original whole band improvisations where the energy and drive collectively influenced the outcome of the eventual songs. The album takes the listener on a journey through the interweaving and connected thematic concepts that seek to awaken the consciousness with hopes to challenge, influence and ultimately warm, the soul for the purpose of caring, and towards positive change”. I am on board for that goal.
“Save the Day”, opens with this cosmic vocal-like sound of some monster, dragon, or other worldly being; sighing. Then, the cool keys and background orchestration takes over. They add some very cool lead electric and bass chords to really push the thrill level high. But then, Carola Baer, enters the stage to sing her first lyrics. And it sounds like I drifted back to the first lines of The Ghost Love Chronicles, with Anna Carolina singing. But this is a different tone, with more urgency. Carola Baer sings, “I don’t want to live in a box. I don’t want to be controlled. I don’t want to turn into a machine”. I think we all feel that way…hopefully. She continues, “You say you don’t care, what happens here. I say you do. Just don’t mind you. Cause its not a game. It matters what you do. Cause it don’t wash away, Save the day!” A powerfully delivered vocal, followed by an exquisite hard electric guitar solo that will resonate for some time. Off to a magnificent start!
“Star on You”, opens with an electric guitar riff that reminds me of some of Envy of None’s debut guitar music. And you know who plays guitar for them, right? If not, Google it. And that is a very good thing. The anticipating drums are excellent here. Carola Baer, sings, “Hey down below, you don’t look up. Look up! There is a star on you!” You can always turn your life around, and then she sings, “Save it!” Later she sings, “Take just what you need. Turn it around, to save it”. A lesson to us all. Wish we could all live by it.
“Breakdown”, has a bluesy feel to it. I hear Stevie Ray-like guitar chords and rhythms as well as other famous sounds; as Carola Baer, sings, some inspired lyrics about saving a relationship. While powerful drums beat and the electric guitar picks up pace. One of the best songs on the album, so far.
“Mirror of Your Life”, has a wonderful bluesy rhythm. This may be the best lyrical song on the album. Carola Baer, sings, “I, don’t want to pray for another place, somewhere else from here. I don’t want to sit quietly turning my hands inside out. Thinking what can I do?” Carola sings, “With no black or brown, it fades to pale. With no woman inside, you’re just a machine. With no old or young, memories gone. With rich or poor, stay divide”. A powerful lyrical delivered with gut wrenching emotion. Carola sings, “So what will you do tomorrow? Every day is a new day to change your living. Don’t let it haunt you!”. The guitar soloing, drums, bass and music are wonderful. Carola closes, “No more wars!” (The mirror of your life; leave the past behind and be free!). Favorite song, so far!
“Dances on Mars”, opens with cool keyboards and soft drumming. Carola sings, “No, no don’t wanna go to no dances on Mars. People start to care!” Yes, no need to go to the desert on Mars. It’s beautiful here on Earth. A dancing beat despite her reluctance to catch the rhythm. The instrumental section is full of powerful lead electric guitar, bass and drum rhythm.
“Stonewall”, opens with a very cool keyboard, bass and soft drum beat. Carola sings, “I’m not sure if I can reach into you or bring you close”. The lead electric blues guitar sounds so great; and brings back so many memories of music I used to listen to in the past. Carola sings, like a woman trying to reach through to an unemotional man. “Don’t be a stone wall!” The lead guitar work is spectacular towards the end of the song. The best guitar work on the album. Simply amazing!
“Man Where’s Your Heart”, is a real wake up call for another unemotional man. Carola is determined to break through. The music is a great support throughout the story of the song. Carola sings, with deep emotion, “What have I done?”
“Save Me”, opens with bold bass, solid drums, and spacey keys and piano. Carola sings, “Save me. Tread carefully. One day I’ll be gone. Mother forgive me. I don’t know why I do this!” A good song and warning about taking someone for granted.
“Heavens Angels”, is a slow, bluesy rocker, with great electric guitar, bass, and soft drums. Carola sings, “Don’t you go…walking down that road. See you walking on the wild side of life. I need you to feel…something”. It is an overwhelmingly beautiful song, full of emotional lyrics and singing. The dreamy way she sings reminds me so much of Anna Carolina. Great song.
“Into the Sun”, is the longest song on the album at over 10 minutes. It opens like a morning sunrise with guitars and awesome keyboards. The soundscape takes a definingly Eastern tone, like a trip to Morrocco, or the Saharah. Wonderful! Carola sings, those moans and howls that you expect from a minaret near the desert. The guitar is simply the best on the album. Yes, this is the best song on the album. A “Kashmir” – like experience, no doubt! Carola sings, “And into the sun we walked. Blinded. By choice. Can’t tell you more than that. Shut down the sun. Or it will tear you apart”. (This is that point when you wish the band had sent you the lyrics). The electric guitar soloing is amazing, and the best on the album. This song alone is worth the price of admission. Carola sings, “Can’t you see beyond tomorrow?” The piano near the song’s ending is simply perfect.
“Other Side”, opens with wonderful lead electric guitar and keyboard teamwork. Carola sings, “Wish that I could find the words to bring an end to confusion. I want to find a way I can change. Change. Is it as simple as just taking hands off”. A very lyrical driven song, with passionate vocal delivery from Carola. She sings, “I don’t want to see the lights go down”.
“Dust and Fire”, opens with Carola singing to soft electric guitar. She sings, “What is this that has gone on forever? Do we find what we have always wanted? Or are we lead astray by doubt. You’ll see”. A powerful lyrical closer, with more of Carola’s emotive singing.
Over an hour of some of the best music I’ve heard all year. This album is a must. Like Her Shadow, this is a great find and I highly recommend this album. Simply powerful, emotional music and a singer who pours her soul out, singing. Please don’t miss this album. This band is very lucky to have Carola. She is an amazing singer. Don’t ever let her go. Hopefully they will send me the lyrics so I can update them here. Very, well worth the admission price!
Album Track List:
1 Save the Day (5:33)
2 Star on You (5:54)
3 Breakdown (6:01)
4 Mirror of Your Life (6:02)
5 Dances on Mars (5:43)
6 Stonewall (6:36)
7 Man Where’s Your Heart (5:20)
8 Save Me (4:27)
9 Heavens Angels (6:16)
10 Into the Sun (10:16)
11 Other Side (5:16)
12 Dust and Fire (4:49) Total time: 1’12’18
Beyond Tomorrow was produced, engineered and mixed by Ian Turner @ Pearces Farm Style. Some of the songs on this album were originally conceived and performed with different arrangements by Quiet Wish. Band photograph by Debby Salsbury. Album design and art work by Steve Anderson. Lyrics by Carola Baer. Thank you to David Lambert for creative contributions to Break Down, Man Where’s Your Heart, and Stonewall & Dust and Fire.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/rubydawnband
https://rubydawnband.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/@rubydawn
https://www.progressivegears.com
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@rubydawn