04/30/08 @ 02:12:39 pm by archivesadmin
By: Jesus (pronounced Hay-sous, y’all!)
The Ruby Suns
Sea Lion
Sub Pop 2008
They may be relative newcomers, but The Ruby Suns are well on their way to riding the Animal Collective coattails to fame. The term “world music” gets thrown around a lot, and it is certainly applicable when describing Sea Lion. However, The Ruby Suns do a killer job at being influenced by global sounds without sounding like another Buddah Bar soundtrack.
Their blend of experimental pop and breezy melodies is a perfect companion for the weather and definitely easy on the ears. Essentially, it is panda bear with a cutesy edge, but there is still something utterly charming about it.
* * *
The Kooks
Konk/Rak
Virgin 2008
For such a young and practically unknown band, it may seem overly ambitious and presumptuous to release a double-disc album. It’s not as if they have 20 chartoppers to compile or public demand to hear more material. No, the simple reason for this entire album is arrogance and too much hype. If you’ve heard The Hives, then you’ve pretty much heard this. Over-styled guitar, bouncy lyrics and hipster haircuts outshine any shred of real talent the band has and replaces it with a radio-friendly version of music.
Whether or not they are one-trick ponies, it is clear that their formula of quick, poppy songs is getting old—even older when parlayed into an extra disc of even more substandard songs. Everything they do has been done, and done better.
Categories: General
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