Advertisement

Album reviews Music

>>> Born Ruffians

A few choice song titles from Toronto’s Born Ruffians’ fourth LP: Stupid Dream, When Things Get Pointless I Roll Away, Fuck Feelings, (Eat Shit) We Did It. And while these might seem particularly cynical for the indie rock pop band that once penned a love song about meeting “at the fountains in Dundas Square,” Born Ruffians have always paired their spritely guitars and energetic vocals with a dose of disillusionment. When frontman Luke Lalonde wails, “Fuck no hard feelings, all I got is hard feelings, y’know?” overtop a slow, brooding guitar line, it feels almost cathartic. 

Seven years after their debut, RUFF is Born Ruffians’ strongest album to date. With gritty atmospherics that closely resemble their magnetic live show, the album is less polished and slick than 2013’s Birthmarks. Lalonde’s vocals have always been one of the band’s strongest weapons. At some points he sounds like a less manic Avey Tare of Animal Collective, gasping for breath so he can cram in a dozen more words, while at other times he’s a breezy crooner. And the surprising sonic turns – minimalist interludes, ringing post-punk sketches – provide him with the ideal backdrop. 

Top track: We Made It  

Born Ruffians play the Silver Dollar on December 10, Lee’s Palace on December 11 and the Opera House on December 12.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.