Ruth Ruth has taken their gloriously twisted avant-pop to a new level on their RCA Records debut, "Are You My Friend?" The band, who are now joined by guitarist Michael Kotch (formerly of Eve's Plum) and drummer Christian Nakata, the evolution from '95's "Laughing Gallery" (American Recordings) through '96's "The Little Death" EP (Epitaph) to the startling new album has been merely a natural progression. "Are You My Friend?" mixes elements of rock, pop-punk and psychedelia into a melting pot, and once again reveals their love for soaring melodies drenched in guitars. The music is accompanied by surreal, stream-of- consciousness lyrics that are at once sardonic, tongue-in-cheek, autobiographical and dead-serious. RCA Records, 1540 Broadway, Times Square, New York, NY 10036.

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