That’s A Mason

Born Ruffians – Red Yellow & Blue

Don’t you  hate when a group comes up with an album name and you have no idea why these chose that name? Well, luckily Born Ruffians is courteous enough to explain their title choice of Red Yellow & Blue on the opening track of the same name:

“If I started my own country, For the flag what colours would I use? Such a myriad to choose from… I would pick red, yellow, and blue.

Red, for the blood I’d spill to own it. Yellow, for the sun which shines my way. And although I am leader of this country, Blue, because I’d still have sad days.”

So now that we’ve established they are talking about living in Romania, we can move on to the music. How to describe Born Ruffians. Well, I’ve read about comparisons to Vampire Weekend, but I don’t particularly like that. I have nothing against Vampire Weekend (actually I do, I’m just trying to veil it), I just don’t see too many similarities. I guess the comparisons are drawn because both groups are definitely pop, as opposed to rock. With that being said, BR are more raw, less layered sounding. They have none of the African influenced sound of VW (and, thankfully, none of the ostentatious inclinations to wear polo shirts and pink shorts onstage). They also haven’t taken off like VW, not because they’re Canadian but more likely because what they’re peddling is just slightly different than the normal American listener is used to. The lead singer, Luke LaLonde’s (pretty solid frontman name I might add), voice is a little yelpful at times. It comes off inexorable jubilant at its best, but possibly harried at worst. But if you’re into the Kool-Aid, which I am,  you slurp on the sugariness. As catchy as VW are, I defy you to refute that BR songs “Hummingbird” and “Barnacle Goose” aren’t equally so. 

When they slow it down, Born Ruffians prove they can also make French campfire songs (“Little Garcon”-; campfiery (not a word) because of the harmonicas; french because of the accordions)) and songs about Foxes (“Foxes Mate For Life” (according to the lyrics, “because they’re in love”)) just as competently as the Fleet Foxes (whose record we’ll visit later in the countdown).

I guess I’m trying to be iTunes for all you Vampire Weekend faithful. Sort of like the Listeners Also Bought sidebar. And interestingly enough, I just checked and, if you do click the See All link on the listeners also bought sidebar for Vampire Weekend, Born Ruffians “Hummingbird” comes up as the #29 most popular choice. I’m just saying…..