Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a 90’s girl.  When I sit and think about it, almost all my favorite albums come from the 90’s.  These were my teen years, and this music took me through college into adulthood.  One band that I simply fell in love with during that time was Soul Coughing.  How could one not love this band?  I mean, you get a stand-up bass, jazzy rhythms, samples, and Mike Doughty’s clever sing-talk lyrics.  So, it would not be surprising that Soul Coughing’s 1994 album, Ruby Vroom would be among my favorites.  The album presents music that is simple yet layered, with samples and deep bass rhythms.  As a result, the songs on Ruby Vroom leave a lasting impact on the listener. 

Ruby Vroom starts off with two singles, “Is Chicago, Is not Chicago” and “Sugar Free Jazz” – both songs classically repetitive in a way that only Soul Coughing can deliver.  Then, five song into the album, Doughty cleverly mixes our favorite Saturday morning cartoon jingles into a catchy beat with “Bus to Beelzebub”. Singing metaphoric lyrics like, “your words burn the air like names of candy bars” and rhythmically repeating “yellow number 5”, you find yourself singing along thinking… “what is this all about?”  However, that is the beauty of Soul Coughing.  It really doesn’t matter. 

Then, midway through the album, things slow down with two more singles, “True Dreams of Wichita” and “Screenwriters Blues”.  The music to both these songs, meander purposefully taking the listener on a visual journey.  “Screenwriter’s Blues” is a perfectly detailed song with the repetitive line, “it is 5 am and you are listening to… Los Angeles”. Doughty successfully puts the listener in the song with descriptive lyrics. For instance, the scene is set immediately by the opening line, “exit to freeways twisted like knots on the fingers, jewels cleaving skin between breasts”. Then, Ruby Vroom rolls to a close with a set of jazz styled songs full of base such as “Uh, Zoom Zip” and “Down to This”. 

Finally, the highlight of this album comes at the very end with the song, “Janine”.  In my opinion, this song is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.  Doughty carries on with his highly descriptive lyrics as he paints the scene of a person driving home from a date while reflecting on his love for “Janine”. The lyrics for this song are perfection; however, the music is what makes this an amazing love song.  Performed with only an acoustic guitar and bass, the entire melody plays to the background of “Janine” singing on an answering machine.  As a result, “Janine” becomes real to the listener and they can connect to the singer’s feelings. 

Mike Doughty has recorded several solo albums and has been touring since Soul Coughing broke up in 2000.  I have had the pleasure of seeing a few of his solo performances and am always excited to hear a few Soul Coughing songs mixed into his set-lists.  However, with Ruby Vroom turning 25 this year (wow, time flies), Doughty has announced an anniversary tour for this spectacular album.  Doughty is performing Ruby Vroom in its entirety, bringing a cellist, bassist, and guitar player along with him on tour.  This is definitely a show that all Soul Coughing fans must attend! 

Mike Doughty will be performing this Wednesday (tomorrow) night at U Street Music Hall and tickets are still available!  Make sure to pick them up soon because shows on this tour have been selling out and it’s no surprise.  Ruby Vroom is a classic and it is truly a special treat to have it performed from start to finish!