Red Yellow & Blue

Born Ruffians | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B00133KEEU
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,879 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Produced by Rusty Santos, the New York mixer behind Animal Collective and Panda Bear's albums, Red, Yellow & Blue exemplifies the Ruffians' brand of self-described 'hootin and hollarin'. From start to finish it's a good time, and the band knows it. With songs like the jangly ''Hedonistic Me'' and the sugary sweet ''Foxes Mate for Life'' to the foot stomping ''Badonkadonkey'', the band constantly pushes the boundaries of musical arrangements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energetic Rock Music with Riffs and Lyrics that Stick, March 24, 2008

By 

M. Nunez (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Red Yellow & Blue (Audio CD)

I got this album for a song "foxes mate for life" then realized that the whole album was great. The lyrics aren't political or life changing but are cleverly written and have a truth to them. You'll listen to this album and leave with four or five favorites but never really skip ahead on the others. The only draw back is that they didn't put "This Sentence" on the album which is a great song from there EP.

The melodies and the way the lead singer/guitar "Luke Lalonde" sing them do add a bit of adolescent twist, but where everyone can still relate and make your foot tap. This band also has great drums "Steven Hamelin" driving foot tapping beats. The Bass "Mitch Derosier" usually backs the melodies and adds a roundness to the rock feel.

From soothing songs like "Little Garcon" to Riffs that kill like on the song "Badonkadonkey" this rock album is definetely worth a pick up.

My Favorites:
02. Barnacle Goos
05. Little Garcon
06. Badonkadonkey
11. Red Elephant

Great Snippet of Lyrics
"I'm taking you to put you Underneath my thumb
If you get squished,I'll find another you
It won't be hard to find another one like you
I don't give a damn about When I see you
I don't give a damn about The I-owe-yous
The disappearing kindness That I show for you
I know I won't be sad When you and me are through"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars standing shoulder to shoulder with giants, May 4, 2008

By 

Adam E. "Salo Dog" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Yellow & Blue (Audio CD)

I came across these guys at work, where I got a free promotional copy of this CD. Instant love. I bought a copy just to support them. I play this CD for friends; they fall in love immediately... why aren't these guys on the cover of Rolling Stone??

In any case, while getting the sense that these guys are standing "on the shoulders of giants" their originality, the lyrics, the way they throw sound around like it's objects being juggled... it is clear that these guys are also standing shoulder to shoulder with giants. The most obvious "relatives" for me are, in this order: The Violent Femmes, Adam Ant, Modest Mouse, and Jane's Addiction.

This is easily my favorite new band of this decade. I hope the world learns of them soon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it, I like it alot..., September 5, 2008

By 

Matt Bateman (Somewhere else) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Yellow & Blue (Audio CD)

I've heard these guys compared to a lot of different bands. Younger fans inevitably pull out the somewhat innacurate Modest Mouse or the more agreeable Vampire Weekend comparison. They certainly have similarities with VW in the musical aspect of things, although the lyrics and attitude are much different. Older fans with a bit of perspective tend to liken these fellows to the Violent Femmes(understandable), the Talking Heads(maybe), and yes, the Flaming Lips(huh?). The only thing I hear when listening to Born Ruffians, other than of course Born Ruffians, are Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers. It's right there in the sometimes unapologetic sweetness to the lyrics. It's there in the playful backing vocals. It's noticeable in the rhythyms and the music too. Compare the lyrics of "I Need A Life," for example, to Richman classics like "Our Swingin' Pad" or even "Cappucino Bar." While it's true that Born Ruffians are a bit less sugary and a bit more versatile, I can't help but see them as a contemporary take on the Modern Lovers.