Artist: Born Ruffians Album: Red, Yellow & Blue Label: Warp Records

Synopsis: Man, I must be a real sucker for bands singing in unison, because Born Ruffians do it a lot, and I love them. Seriously, every song where the band has sweet harmonies gets stuck in my head so easily – and it’s awesome. There are even songs where everyone is singing, then someone is singing some other lyrics and someone is whistling and someone is snapping. Everything goes together so well. Super clean vocals and production. Their sound can best be described as pop – just really happy, upbeat songs. But they sound more like 1960s pop music, like the Monkees or something. They definitely have this classic feel about them, and while they are still pop music, they have a unique style.

Recommended Tracks:

*2. “Barnacle Goose” – A sweet guitar riff that makes me want to rock back and forth, like it should be played at a prom in the 60s, and the band does some ooohs and ahhhs in the background and then the music drops off and everyone is singing a different part a cappella.

3. “Hummingbird” – A fast song with some fast singing, fun drumming, and fun riffs. Really cool vocals.

*4. “I Need A Life” – This definitely sounds like the Monkees – on top of that I think it is how the background vocalists keep singing “oh, but we go out at night” over and over that makes this song great.

5. “Little Garcon” – A nice, fun acoustic track

*7. “Foxes Mate For Life” – Starts with a sweet mellow guitar intro, then turns into just really upbeat, fun, song with the coolest vocal parts.

Rating (1-10): 8.5

Reviewed By: Rand Renfrow

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