Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Casey Ruff – “A Broken Heart’s Immortal”

Bart recently wrote that Casey Ruff has a “unique form of charisma where when the person gets up on stage, you know it’s performance time, you know it means something,” heaping deserving praise on Ruff’s affable stage presence, equal parts Johnny Paycheck and Jeff Spicoli. On “A Broken Heart’s Immortal,” there’s a richness and nuance that shows a more contemplative songwriter and lyricist than one might detect on songs like “Born in a Bar” and “Wingman.” On “A Broken Heart’s Immortal,” the party’s over and things get a bit deep. Ruff sings lines like “this Sisyphus is sick of his rock and roll” and “you hold fast to coping / with the hope that it will help you but it won’t” in a voice reminiscent of Dylan’s caramel croon on Nashville Skyline. Recorded at Colin J. Nelson’s Her Car studio, the song has a warm, murky vibe that reminds me of “A Season in Hell” from Eddie and the Cruisers (if you had HBO in the ’80s, you’ll have my back), all minor chords and moodiness. The playing and production are top notch, with Casey’s vocal performance being particularly impressive. The brief, dramatic breakdown at the end is great, indicative of the care that went into the song’s arrangement. All in all, “A Broken Heart’s Immortal” is a compelling glimpse at another side of Casey Ruff and a fine addition to Ball of Wax 36. Be sure to see Casey and his band at the Volume 36 release show on June 7th.