The Punk Site 2021 Top 20: Ruts DC – ElectrAcoustiC

Resting at Number 19 in our seasonal countdown of The Punk Site‘s contributors favourite releases from 2021 is ElectrAcoustiC Volume One, the first studio recordings of the highly regarded Ruts DC acoustic show that was released via their own Sosumi Recordings. The album features eleven new interpretations of some of their most cherished songs from both the frontline punk era of The Ruts, to their rebirth as Ruts DC. Whilst their reputation as one of the most vibrant and high-energy forces to be spawned from the late seventies punk explosion is assured, the stripped-down acoustic side of Ruts DC’s persona has really come to the fore in recent years. 

This collection of songs is not a retrospective. It is a vivid but intimate communion with a band utterly comfortable with the strength of their material and confident enough to strip it back to the barest essentials. Not that Ruts/Ruts DC were ever over-produced, even in their deeper dub moments. There has always been a vitality and urgency about them that the recording process could not suppress. While the origins of this collection predate the pandemic (the 2019 Rebellion additional set was semi-unplugged), there is something introspective and contemplative about this set of 11 songs that matches the times. Contemplative yes, but as urgent and stirring as the full electric set, underlining the possibly overlooked fact that these are fine, fine songs … a fine album of music that captures Ruts DC in a more contemplative and intimate mood and showcases them for what they are – a trio of fine musicians with a catalogue of first class songs. One to listen to, and not just hear. (Peter Hough March 2021)

You can purchase ElectrAcoustiC Volume One on CD & vinyl via Ruts DC here