On the title track to this latest Rosebuds CD, the group sings half-heartedly: “Reconstruct my body, capture me in flight/Glue in resin marbles, give me shiny eyes/Life like.” Obviously, glued resin marble peepers can never be windows to the soul. While that song speaks of an unsuccessful attempt at recreating a human life visually, the Rosebuds hit the mark aurally with “Hello Darlin’” as they whistle happily, like the Andy Griffith Show theme, over acoustic guitars. The track even features vocalist Ivan Howard’s grandfather, Bobby D. Howard, speaking during the song’s intro. Ironically, this homey little ditty is followed by “Black Hole,” which is as chilly as any Kraftwerk synthesizer track, albeit with far more natural instrumentation. As you might guess, life is one of the main themes on The Rosebuds’ new CD. For example, “In The Backyard” discusses the Ouija Board -- and everybody knows that Ouija Boards are sometimes used to communicate with the “dead” who supposedly live beyond the grave. (What do you want to bet they all live in Mattel Land?) The Rosebuds take this lyrical opportunity to mention how Christians warn that the Ouija Board is a dangerous “gateway to the underworld.” But they also have fun with this “game” by adding later: “Jim Morrison talked again today to the Goth kids from his grave.” Perhaps the greatest sign of life is natural human curiosity, and The Rosebuds exhibit Ouija Board-like wonderment throughout their latest effort.
-- Dan MacIntosh [October 5, 2008]
