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MUMSDOLLAR | Ruins
Talk about sending shivers down your spine! Soaring guitars, huge drums, sit-up-and-listen gang vocals, all topped off with Ben Claxton’s soul-stirring voice reciting lyrics that are simply some of the best poetry I have discovered in an album sleeve for years. After hearing these songs live, you can now delve into the depths of their meaning. Ladies and gentleman, I can confirm all the baited anticipation and long wait for Mumsdollar’s follow up to A Beautiful Life has been well worth it!
Many will inevitably point out that Ruins is a lot darker than their previous releases, that much of the old, good-times pop-punk of early Mumsdollar has been traded for minor chords and emotive passion. To me this speaks of a band maturing, taking their faith seriously and realising their position to influence an entire generation to pursue their Creator.
Picks for top tunes? Well, you be the judge. In Ruins there’ll be as many favourites as there are tracks. There’s the catchy “Sticks and Stones,” the beautiful “Better Way,” the almost-political “Killing to Fit In”, the sincerity of “Thomas,” and the opening inspiration of “Making Amends” and “Catch Me If You Can” — trust me, I could go on.
Depending how the Fat Freddy’s album goes down later in the year, my call is for Ruins to be the Kiwi release of 2008. If you haven’t already, go buy this record.
Rating | 4.5/5
Hayden Shearman
Hayden has had many dreams in life - becoming the first pro-surfer from Palmerston North, the sixth member of the Jackson 5, an Olympic athlete (in whatever sport will take him). Not all his dreams have fully worked out, except for the one about managing Soul Purpose, which he actually did do from 2005 to 2008.
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(17 votes, average: 4.82 out of 5)
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Yep definitely agree. I haven’t really been a true mumsdollar fan, but I got this album the other day and its amazing! Mumsdollar has a new fan :D
Posted at 5:33 pm on October 1st, 2008.i getting the cd tomorrow, iv been trying since monday but something went wrong with some courier so tomoro will be the fourth and hopefully final time i will go to try get the cd.but iv heard a few of the songs and bens vocals are just touching aye.cant wait to hear it all.
Posted at 10:12 pm on October 1st, 2008.This album is growing on me. When I first heard it, I wasn’t that convinced. I’m not usually the pop-punk-rock type, about the only band that style I kind of like is Paramore. So yeah, if you’re into this kind of stuff you’ll probably think it’s incredible. I’m a bit indifferent. It hasn’t changed my life, but it’s a good record.
Posted at 8:06 am on October 6th, 2008.Freakin’ assum!!
Posted at 6:49 pm on October 10th, 2008.I think it’s a fair bit more mature, and I like it. alot. Definitely their best yet, I say.
I really like the new album. I went to In His Honour and Mumsdollar played mostly new songs and they were all awesome :)
Posted at 10:57 am on October 14th, 2008.OMG!!!!!!! finally!!! where is it selling!?!?!??!
Posted at 9:33 am on October 20th, 2008.hey my name is mark
Posted at 5:14 pm on November 18th, 2008.im not a real christian but as soon as i heard sticks and stones by mumsdollar (track 7 on ruins) i knew i had to buy the CD and since then i cant stop playing their songs
i would like to say great job mumsdollar
Cant wait to see these guys at Parachute
Posted at 3:21 pm on January 11th, 2009.: D
Yeah best CD I own! Should win a ‘CD Of The Year Award’ (even though its only March)
Posted at 2:27 pm on March 11th, 2009.Hello, SP
Please update site soon, i am missing reading your awesomeness on the web, hope the restructuring and whatnot is going well.
Much Love
Posted at 6:17 pm on March 20th, 2009.Ella
Thanks Ella!
Posted at 3:43 pm on April 2nd, 2009.Things are working away like crazy behind the scenes – but you can expect goodness any day now!
Thanx very Much :)
you guys are the bees knees !
looking forward to seeing new mag when the time comes,
love Ella
“Easter Bunny gives us chocolate, JESUS saved the world!”
Posted at 9:10 pm on April 7th, 2009.I thought Better Way was the most amazing song, I was so moved by it that I’m bringing it to our school, can anyone help me find the lyrics or chords?
Posted at 12:07 pm on April 16th, 2009.God Bless
I agree w/ Sarah here, Better Way sounds so sincere and powerful. I had my ipod playing while driving into work today and this song stood out. Loved it :) Big blessings to the Mumsdollar lads!
Posted at 1:31 am on June 14th, 2009.Mint CD. Bought it for my sis for her Bday lol
Posted at 4:09 pm on October 22nd, 2009.I CANT BELIVE IT!!!!!!!!
Posted at 7:07 pm on October 26th, 2009.they are breaking!!!!!!!!
that so sux, but they are doing a final tour of nz at the end of the year