Ceramic Dog

2018 sees the release of a new, politically charged Ceramic Dog album: YRU Still Here? (Northern Spy), the long awaited third album from Ribot's post-rock/noise trio Ceramic Dog. Marc Ribot, who the New York Times describes as "a deceptively articulate artist who uses inarticulateness as an expressive device," has released over 20 albums under his own name over a 30-year career, exploring everything from the pioneering jazz of Albert Ayler to the Cuban son of Arsenio Rodríguez. Thanks in no small part to the fire, brimstone, and dextrous facility summoned by kindred spirits Shahzad Ismaily ( Secret Chiefs 3, Will Oldham) on bass and drummer Ches Smith ( Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3, Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant), YRU Still Here? comes to the table armed with more than just sloganeering rhetoric. As much as it is a rallying cry, though, YRU Still Here? also further consecrates Ribot's 10 years of music making with Ismaily and Smith. Referring to them as his "musical conscience" and to the band as a "family...although not always in a good way". Ribot comments wryly: "Even after all the playing I've done, there's something about this group that still manages to shock me."