Album: Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue

Right from the outset with the song with the same name as the album ‘Red, Yellow & Blue’ Born Ruffians have the perfect indie sound. Hailing from Canada this three piece released their long awaited album ‘Red, Yellow & Blue’ on impressive Warp Records. Born Ruffians are just another great example of the talent coming out of Canada. Compared with Tokyo Police Club by some magazines (most notably NME) due to the fact they are both from Canada and happen to be good friends in and out of music

However for me Born Ruffians are very little like Tokyo Police Club and do not use the same edgy-Strokes-Bloc Party-esque sound. What Born Ruffians do well is create perfect 3 minute indie pop songs, none so more perfect than ‘Hummingbird’ which you may have heard on the recent “Animal” Orange advertisements. What ‘Hummingbird’ manages to do so well is make you hum (excuse the pun) along pretty immediately. With its wonderful melodies and catchy guitar riffs ‘Hummingbird’s pretty much the perfect song to epitomise Born Ruffians.

They are much more than just one song as new single ‘I Need A Life’ proves; where it follows on from the previous songs pop sound it has an even catchier chorus. “The sun is shining but we stay inside, Oh but we go out at night” is pretty much how my life was at University during the first year. “We put up the curtains, block out the light” and “And we stay in bed until we feel all right” is pretty much how I am with my life at the moment. In 3 minutes 27 seconds ‘I Need A Life’ pretty much sums up how my current life status is, although I would change the song title to ‘I Need A Job’, then again I can’t be too fussy as it’s not my song.

The album is brimming with songs which could be singles and ‘Barnacle Goose’ certainly fits in with that category. Much like amusingly named ‘Badonkadonkey’ which could well be the next single with its catchy chorus and infectious lyrics. Much slower ‘Little Garcon’ is not a single but a brilliant song which shows Born Ruffians less slower side but once again has the element of infectiousness. A word which I think pretty much sums up the whole album.

Much longer songs for the album ‘Red Elephant’ and ‘Kurt Vonnegut’ despite being a little slower and longer include some of my favourite moments on the album. Album closer ‘Red Elephant’ is a fine ending for any album and for this album ends the album on a real high point.

‘Hedonistic Me’ is a song that reminds me of Vampire Weekend (which is no bad thing) and it’s a song that Vampire Weekend would be very proud of. This song really makes lead singer Luke Lalonde’s voice stand out, because it’s a distinctive sound that he has and even the backing vocals are unique. ‘In A Mirror’ is one of my favourite songs off the album despite not liking it on first listen. But that’s the thing about this album; do not expect to love it from the first listen. It will take a few listens before you really appreciate it fully and once you do you will realise that it’s a fantastic indie record.

8.9/10