Customer Reviews

Red Yellow & Blue

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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"

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.

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.

Despite the fact that I have been anticipating this album for almost two years, there is nothing about it that has disappointed me. The Born Ruffians have proved to be a truly original force with catchy riffs, toe-tapping beats and an amazing lead singer. Just buy it. Okay?

In the midst of a slew of indie bands, Born Ruffians stand out as a well put together and most importantly fun band.

The songs on Red Yellow & Blue are easy to love and listen to again and again.

This is a great, fun, melodic, simple album that builds perfectly off their first self-titled EP. Red, Yellow, and Blue has several brilliant songs (Hummingbird, Little Garcon, and Foxes Mate For Life being the real stand outs), but every track is able to deliver simple, enjoyable, perfect pop that sounds fresh and, upon further listening, offers intricate details and clever syncopations that other music of this caliber decidedly lacks.

Definitely pick this up!

I bought this album after seeing the band play live and it is, hands down, one exciting, jaunty, get-you-on-your-toes kind of album. Born Ruffians are often compared to Vampire Weekend and like to think of their sound in terms of The Strokes earlier work. But I like to think they are setting their own identity in this age of indie rock.
If you want to feel youthful and vibrant again, Red Yellow & Blue is for you.

I have a hard time finding new bands that are good. This is a great CD. I love all the songs! Buy it!

I came across this band one night about three months ago. This has lead me to listen to them everyday. I am obsessed. No song ever looses my interest. There other album is amazing too! I need them to come to Portland, Oregon!!!!

Red, Yellow, and Blue came out in early 2008, but I bought it in spring 2009 and after listening to it many times I consider it to be the best album I've heard in the last two years. It beats out so many other very worthy contenders for the best album of the last two years (Veckatamist by Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective's newest, Person Pitch by Panda Bear). These are all fantastic albums and yet Red, Yellow, and Blue is much better than all of them. Why? Well, there are many reasons. I think foremost though is that these guys know how to write quality riffs in spades. The guitar work by Luke LaLonde here is inventive and restless. His guitar jumps from different riffs all of them catchy and slick in a single song and often times the song itself will morph into something bigger and more expansive or simply jump all over the place but still remain tight and focused within the aesthetic of the original riff or melody. Take "Little Garcon" for example: here you have a straight-up simple little poppy sounding guitar riff along with a harmonica and some nice harmonizing. But, later it morphs into a get-out-of-your-seat romp with hand-clapping, some accordion, and lovely singing by Lalonde. You wouldn't expect it, but somehow it fits perfectly. One must experience it for themselves though, because words can not do it justice. There are so many other examples of how creative and inventive these three guys can get throughout the album. On "hummingbird" for example there are probably at least six different drumming styles that the drummer incorporates into the song - all of this makes for an album that is sooo fun to listen to because you always can hear something different that went unnoticed on the first dozen or so listens. This album deserves every single star I've given them. It is easily a five star album. Here goes a song-by-song breakdown:

1. Red, Yellow, and Blue - it's really nice that they opened with this one because it's almost like a creed. Whenever LaLonde sings about owning his own country it's kind of like a kid dreaming, yet, whenever he sings the last line it tells you that he is an adult despite his youthful idealism (this is pretty much what the album is about I think - the challenges that come about when youthful idealism is hit head-on by worldly realism and cynicism. I think the exuberance of youth wins in the end though) 8/10

2. Barnacle Goose - This is a sort of angsty song about being young and knowing your own faults and wanting to change yourself but at the same time not really wanting to change. It's one of many songs that has fantastic drumming by Mr. Steve Hamelin. The guy is just amazing. 8.5/10

3. Hummingbird - A really upbeat tune with great bass work by Mr. Mitch Derosier. Not sure really what the lyrics are about. Maybe independence and freedom? Anyway, it's brilliant. 9/10

4. I Need A Life - ok, so what adolescent hasn't had this thought cross their mind at one point in their life? The songs just about wanting to go out and get a life. So simple, but perfect at the same time. They do overwork the riff on this one a bit, making it not quite as enjoyable as the others. But that's okay because they bounce back big time with the next track. 7.5/10

5. Little Garcon - This is the song that got me interested in this band. Starts off with a nice opening riff, some harmonica, and some nice harmonies. Then it transforms into this grand proclamation expounding on the virtues of faithfulness in love (I guess that's what it's about). Anyway, the music is what's great here. The Ruffians show here that they can take two solid riffs and meld them together to make a perfect song. 10/10

6. Badonkadonkey - It's hard to believe that the album could get better than the last track but it somehow does with this song. The song title I have no idea it's meaning but I think this song is about the initial stages of a romantic relationship. The character Lalonde has created goes from being excited about the person he is dating to skeptical, to downright cynical and then back again. I think this just parallels how most people feel about the initial stages of a relationship when one isn't sure what to think of the other. The guitar riffs, bass, and drums are all perfect in this one. It's such a fun and catchy song. 10/10

7. Foxes Mate For Life - Amazing. Just Amazing. The Ruffians somehow make this song be the third in a row that is superb. More great guitar work by LaLonde, stellar drumming by Hamelin, and what else could one expect than excellent bass by Derosier. The lyrics in this one are so positive about life. It takes the sort of naive view that the reason that foxes mate for life isn't for biological reasons, but because "they are in love." It's basically a very positive view on faithfulness as well as seeing the world through rose-colored glasses is a great thing. 10/10

8. Hedonistic Me - Another nice positive song about love and faithfulness. Nice riff. Good, simple song. 8/10

9. In A Mirror - The beginning of the song I don't like so much but like so many other Ruffians songs it morphs into something different and better. Mid-way through it, I dare you not to tap your feet. This song is overshadowed by some of the other ones. But, it is actually very strong. 9/10

10. Kurt Vonnegut - A perfect song for a Friday night and you are getting ready for a night out on the town. It's got some themes of being broken-hearted but it is definitely still an upbeat song. At the very end it morphs into this beautiful romantic song with the lyric

Won't you come outside, love?
Won't you come outside?
Won't you please be mine, love?
Won't you come outside?

The musicianship on this song is absolutley top-notch 10/10

11. Red Elephant - This is a really nice closing song because it is another one about relationships. But, it has this air of wanting more and somehow being satisfied at the same time. It's perfect because this is how I felt after finishing the album. It's almost a perfect album but I still somehow want more. 8.5/10

I hope this review was helpful. I highly recommend buying this album as soon as you can.