album #81

red, yellow and blue (born ruffians)

This is a really good album. These guys have a great energy and a sound that feels both unique and vintage. Their signature traits, as I see it, are those tight, rocky, rhythmic strikes of the guitar; the chanting interplay of the vocals. This album really reminds me of those punk/new wave bands of the late 70s, early 80s, like Blondie and Television. The jagged, creative guitars, the nasally vocals, a style that feels somewhat minimalistic but still creative and ambitious.

A lot of good ones on this record. I love the rollicking, sea-chantyesque energy of "Barnacle Goose," the upbeat, straightforward classic rock/bass pulse of "Hummingbird," the lovely vocal interplay in the latter half of "Little GarŸon," the fantastic pulse- slinging, clanging, controlled yet driven- of "Badonkadonkey," the Weezeresque clanging, vaguely subdued, romantic jam of "Foxes Mate for Life," and the inviting, energetic refrain of the finale, "Kurt Vonnegut."

Good listening. Quick, rhythmic, spare but engaging. Fun stuff.