Album Review

Born Ruffians – Hummingbird

• 26th Mar 2008

From the opening yelps of oh-ohs that break the record in, immediate parallels can be drawn from Luke Lalonde’s vocals to that of David Byrne or perhaps Alec Ounsworth who himself was laced with the Byrne label when Clap Your Hands Say Yeah first broke onto the scene. And the Born Ruffians themselves are not a million miles away from CYHSY in sound either, this song wouldn’t sound at all out of place on the bands acclaimed debut.

The song gathers a steady momentum, rhythmically building even through the break downs. The bass riff that runs seamlessly through the track, bears a nice resemblance to that of ‘Remember Me’ by British Sea Power, whilst also flirting with the Violet Femmes as it bounces around the melodic guitar riffs. Until it culminates into a wonderful mass of constructed yelps and harmonious noise, fulfilling and completing the song. A song that surpasses the build up, to a wonderfully gratifying climax.

Recently signed by warp, and tipped as one of the top acts of 2008, their debut single certainly doesn’t deter from this. The B-side, a cover of Grizzly Bears ‘Knife’ is quite fantastic, and certainly gives as much as of an insight into the bands depth, talent and potential as the A-side. Watch out for their debut album released late may.