Spookey, back at the helm of good ship Ruben, delights us once again with his knack for colouring outside current musical trends: anchored by a seven-chapter prog rock epic located smack dab in the middle of the album, Mechanical Royalty skips merrily through the garden of musical genres, playing tribute to everything from Yacht Rock to death metal. But this is not Joke Rock à la Ween. Spookey consistently dishes up his excitement for music in his own special heartfelt way.
Tackling a genre forever riddled with ridicule, with its 12-keyboards-and-a-robe-with-a-30-ft-dragon-on-stage guise, Spookey, historically attracted to projects that absolutely don't fit in the hipster category, manages to surprise us once again with his latest pièce de résistance. MR is something Spookey had always wanted to do, and since Royalty falls into the category of all that you're "not supposed to do," says Spook ("like a 16-minute song that won't get on the radio"), he was naturally inclined.
"You can't help but recognize Spookey Ruben as eccentricity in its purest form." - allmusic guide
This new work is the culminating, tantalizing dish—the result of three and a half years of dragon slaying and never giving up, none of which could have been possible without the amazing contributions from a variety of musician friends, ranging from Ariel Pink to Adam Marcello (drummer to Katy Perry).
Mechanical Royalty (a pun, alluding not only to the album cover and storyline of the title track, but also to a music business term) is an intense 70s/80s rollercoaster ride, but its Spookey's point of view that makes it feel inviting and brand new. The album kicks off with ‘Cat and Mouse’ a retro-futuristic balls-to-the-wall 80s rock stomp complete with DX7 keyboard sounds and Shins-like vocal acrobatics. At the other end of the spectrum there’s death metal absurdo-freak out, ‘American Processed Cheese,’ a song title stumbled upon while re-interpreting the ‘American Idol’ logo. An example of how Spookey often tailors a song’s genre to its title, SR sees A.P.C. as S.O.D. (an old metal fave of his) crossed with Greg Ginn guitar theory. Spookey’s modus operandi revolves around his addiction to an important story or a song title then taking it to the limit, expressing its theme, no holds barred.
"Pop Fantasia Genius" - Mojo Magazine
Express from Spookey’s bedroom studio we have ‘Rachel,’ basically the 2009 incarnation of ‘Shauna’ from yesteryear (and from Spookey’s 2003 hit album, Breakfast). Poppy as fuck. It makes me think, who is this new girl Rachel, and where has Shauna gone? Is this the lost follow up single to ‘Never Ending Story’? Then there's a fresh nod to Facebook with 'Superpoke', an indie pop classic whose sax solo (Joseph Shabason) throws it into Joni Mitchell gear. Finally, the title track of the album is a 15 and a half minute epic tribute to prog rock influences from Spookey's youth (Rush, Yes, Genesis, Voivod…) In seven chapters it tells the story of a kingdom of robots who are attacked by humans because they possess a magnetic force; a code in the motherboard that keeps harmony in society. The humans who originally created the robots, now seek to get it back for themselves.
I recall Spookey saying if you love the Mechanical Royalty track you're probably a guy because girls don't like prog rock. After just one listen I was hooked. Guess that means I'm a dude. -Kathryn McBride
In addition to his musical prowess, Spookey is the mastermind behind ‘Spookey Ruben’s Dizzy Playground’ (exclaim.ca/AUX.tv), an ongoing series of short films guest starring notable musicians such as Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), John McEntire (Tortoise/The Sea and Cake), Melissa Auf Der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins) and Ariel Pink. Upcoming episodes incl. Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy), Brian Borcherdt (Holy F*ck) and Leslie Feist (Feist).
Buy Spookey Ruben CDs, T-Shirts, etc. from KillThe8:
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and press play.. perfect for your relaxing time, 989chill is out now with brazilian composer and performer Celso Ricardi. Get Chilled!!!
That was a great set at The Drake. Melodic, quirky, psychedelic pop that proves as a reminder that all your musical needs can be fulfilled within TO's boundaries. Why wait for a Flaming Lips or Cornelius when you can see a Spookey Ruben?
Impressive review of Mechanical Royalty in this issue of Eye Magazine 'The critical rehabilitation of prog-rock is complete, but there’s still plenty of frowned-upon territory in, say, the Genesis catalogue. Spookey Ruben doesn’t seem to give a shit, and good for him — Mechanical Royalty, the local mainstay’s seventh full-length, blends frosty ’70s-era Pink Floydian atmospherics with metallic riffage with anthemic singalongs'
Nice write-up in Exclaim Magazine 'Defying every hipster category, Spookey blows our minds once again with a 70s/80s rollercoaster ride with a seven chapter prog rock epic at its core'
HAHAHAHAHAHA ....... i LOVE cavity central!!! what a fucking trip!! it definately woulda been a trippier trip if i was smoking a joint or something! LOL.... good job, very funny video,...and i liked the music!
dude spookey! have u watched or have you heard of YO GABBA GABBA? well its a show my son likes to watch.... and theres this part where its like a cartoon song type-a thing called "super robot martian girl".... and it totally reminds me of you!!! :D itd be awesome of you can do some work for them.... itd be so cool! same style.................................................................................. BTW, it was great talking to you the other night again after so long!! cant wait till we can all have some drinks and hang out again. xoxo take care friend!
GREAT show at the Pyramid! It's been a decade since I caught you at The Rivioli(?). Bonus points for rocking on the amps. Please come back soon, with hella promotion.
No, I haven't. Thought about it, but haven't. The Sault, Thunder Bay, yet no Ottawa or Montreal this tour? Would love to catch you in Chicago! One of my fave N.American cities.
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