Stonehenge

AMG Review of Stonehenge

John Vallier
All Music Guide

Stonehenge is the first CD made by the Japanese post-punk prog rock duo Ruins. Ruins, who is drummer/bandleader Tatsuya Yoshida and bassist/vocalist Kimoto Kazuyoshi on this album, released Stonehenge in 1990. In what has become a characteristically Ruins sound, this CD contains a series of angular, aggressive, adroit, and sometimes catchy songs. The shortest song, "Plexus," lasts for only one minute. It consists of tortured vocals and a repeated distorted bass and syncopated drum set ostinato in odd time. The longest song on the CD, "B.U.G.," rampages for over six minutes. It is characterized by an extended section of spine-crushing quarter notes and then a slippery groove in five. The liner notes, which are written in something close to two-point font, list the CD as having 14 songs. In actuality, Stonehenge has 21 serpentine songs that may leave you panting for more.