• Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Mar 4, 2008
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Filter
    88
    Born Ruffians is just as rambunctious, not to mention far more likely to induce vehicular intercourse (or break your heart). [Winter 2008, p.92]
  2. Red, Yellow & Blue delivers a splash of color to a vibrant indie soundscape.
  3. Even if Red Yellow Blue overstays its welcome for one song, it still counts as one of this new year's most engaging and endearing indie-rock debuts.
  4. Their sound doesn’t deconstruct or reconstruct anything; it just kicks some tail.
  5. It's not a world-changer, but it's certainly one of the more fun pop albums that I've heard this year so far.
  6. 80
    Red, Yellow And Blue is good.
  7. Born Ruffians are in the business of kicking out jumpy live-band power-pop jams far more concerned with melodic zing than textural depth.
  8. Throughout Red, Yellow and Blue the timbre is really spare, but Born Ruffians show that you don’t need much else to create a compelling record.
  9. Born Ruffians are as eloquent in their summation of today’s indie rock style as any other likeminded band; in that sense Red, Yellow & Blue is as literate and aware as its title’s reference to primary colors implies. But knowingly limiting one’s scope to temporary fun predictably keeps the band from turning out something with lasting power.
  10. A spare intro, with guitar chords once per measure, refuses to develop into the expected jangle. Instead, as with the rest of the disc, it's consciously underproduced.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. ChadS.
    Apr 1, 2008
    7
    Sometimes they sound like a muscular Vampire Weekend. The vocalist bears an atonal resemblance to the guy from Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah! Sometimes they sound like a muscular Vampire Weekend. The vocalist bears an atonal resemblance to the guy from Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah! That is, when the band isn't busy sounding like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse. They're not terribly original, but they steal from the best. "Hedonistic Me" rocks the Camry each night I drive home from work at four in the morning. Full Review »
  2. M-m-m-mattTrocchi
    Mar 14, 2008
    10
    These guys are slowly taking over the Canadian music scene. just you watch: Born Ruffians, Tokyo Police Club, they will rule the airwaves. These guys are slowly taking over the Canadian music scene. just you watch: Born Ruffians, Tokyo Police Club, they will rule the airwaves. This is an amazing disc, soooooooooo good. Full Review »
  3. JamesB.
    Mar 12, 2008
    8
    Lets be honest, this is a very endearing album, great pop sound with fun lyrics. think Vampire Weekend but a bit more up tempo and creative