SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE JACK RUBIES – VISIONS IN THE BOWLING ALLEY

THE JACK RUBIES
VISIONS IN THE BOWLING ALLEY
BIG STIR RECORDS

The London-based band The Jack Rubies debuted in 1986 featuring Ian Wright (lead vocals, guitar), SD Ineson (backing vocals, guitar), Steve Brockway (bass), Lawrence Giltnane (percussion), and Peter Maxted (drums). Their first album, Witch-Hunt In Lotusland was greeted with rave reviews and they developed a very loyal and enthusiastic audience. The band split in 1990, following the release of their third studio album. Thankfully, in 2024, The Jack Rubies, with all of the original members, reunited and released the wonderful Clocks Are Out Of Time.

Thankfully that reunion was not a one-off, and the band is back with a brand-new album. Visions In The Bowling Alley is a brilliant album highlighting everything that The Jack Rubies do well. The album features songs with strong melodies, thoughtful (and sometimes humorous) lyrics and clever arrangements.  In short, the album is jammed with brilliant songs.  The second the needle drops on side one of Visions In The Bowling Alley, the listener knows they are in for an interesting album.  The first song, “Greedy” features a brief homage to 10cc (listen to the opening with their version of “Life Is A Minestrone”).  A couple of songs later, Wright sings “I’ve got a few things left to say” (“Primordial Sludge”), and he does have a lot to say and we are the better for it. Visions In The Bowling Alley is full of Wright’s observations of the world, and he does it with such style and humour.

For example, “Are We Being Recorded” taps into the current state of paranoia (or the feeling of having your privacy invaded) and the need to broadcast all we do via social media.  The world of protest is addressed with “This Is Not A Joke” and one is not overtly clear as to which side the band sits. But, even in the humour, they raise issues that are quite serious. And they allow their listener to think for themselves. Other songs are just rockers that fit nicely on the album and these guys can certainly rock. “Swampsnake” taps into the 1970s rock scene with a little bit of glam mixing in with their post-punk sound. The album ends with the pop rock song, “Be Good Or Be Gone”, which should be a massive hit. It is instantly accessible and is an earworm in the good sense. It really ends the album on a high musical note.

Musically, the band dips into the past but they have brought their 1980s sound into 2026. Sure, there are hints of Wire, The Chameleons, The Clash and even Nick Cave, but The Jack Rubies are very original with their music. To these ears, Visions In The Bowling Alley is their strongest and best album. It is full of phenomenal songs, which are well produced and arranged. The album would also translate easily to the concert stage and is not overdone with studio manipulation. The Jack Rubies have been overlooked for far too long, their time has come again, and this time, don’t anyone miss it.

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