Happy Birthday, Ratboy is a 2021 studio album by American indie rock band Ratboys. The surprise album[2] is a re-recording of the band's earliest material and has received positive reviews from critics.
| Happy Birthday, Ratboy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1, 2021 | |||
| Studio | Type One Studios and band members' homes | |||
| Genre | Indie rock[1] | |||
| Length | 37:31 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Topshelf | |||
| Producer |
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| Ratboys chronology | ||||
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Reception
editEditors at Pitchfork Media scored this release 7.2 out of 10 and critic Pete Tosiello stated that this album contrasts "cozy nostalgia with hard-rocking instincts", with a more "somber and reflective" tone than 2020's Printer's Devil.[1] Mark Moody of Under the Radar scored this album a 7 out of 10, stating that "the addition of a permanent rhythm section in Marcus Nuccio (drums) and Sean Neumann (bass), the decade old songs are brought to fuller frame" and praised several tracks, noting album closer "Go Outside" as a highlight.[3] "Go Outside" was also recognized as one of the best songs of the week at Paste, where Carli Scolforo considered the title good advice to listeners during the COVID-19 pandemic which also marked a change in the band's sound to a country music influence[4] and the album release was included on a short list of best albums of the week as well.[5]
Track listing
edit- "The Stanza" – 3:29
- "Down the River" – 2:34
- "Intense Judgment" – 5:04
- "Key" – 3:37
- "At 39 Is Annie the Oldest Cat?" – 4:17
- "Space Blows" – 1:46
- "Collected" – 4:16
- "Cacao to Cacao" – 2:17
- "Have a Heart" – 3:36
- "88 Fingers Edward" – 3:46
- "Go Outside" – 2:49
Personnel
editRatboys
- Sean Neumann – bass guitar, production
- Marcus Nuccio – drums, percussion, production
- David Sagan – guitar, pocket piano, ukulele, lap steel guitar, production
- Julia Steiner – vocals, guitar, production
Additional personnel
- Jason Cupp – mixing
- Johnny Fabrizio – photography
- Lizzy Jordan – cello on "Have a Heart"
- Mallory Linehan – violin on "Have a Heart"
- Evan Loritsch – Rhodes piano on "Key"
- Pat Lyons – pedal steel guitar on "Go Outside"
- Sam Porter – photography
- Kim Rosen – audio mastering
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Tosiella, Pete (April 6, 2021). "Ratboys: Happy Birthday, Ratboy Review". Albums. Pitchfork Media. Condé Nast. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (April 1, 2021). "Ratboys Surprise Release New Album Happy Birthday, Ratboy". Music > New Music Releases. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Moody, Mark (April 1, 2021). "Ratboys: Happy Birthday, Ratboy (Topshelf)". Reviews. Under the Radar. ISSN 1553-2305. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Scolforo, Carli (March 4, 2020). "The Best New Songs: St. Vincent, Japanese Breakfast, Ratboys and more". Music > Lists > Best New Songs. Paste. ISSN 1540-3106. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Scolforo, Carli (April 2, 2020). "New Albums to Stream Today: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Dry Cleaning, Flock of Dimes and more". Music > Lists > New Albums. Paste. ISSN 1540-3106. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
External links
edit- Happy Birthday, Ratboy at Discogs (list of releases)
- Happy Birthday, Ratboy at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
- A Guide to Ratboys’ Happy Birthday, Ratboy from Talkhouse
