It's always been tricky to pin down Born Ruffians. On the surface, the Canadian four-piece have all the hallmarks of a run of the mill indie-rock outfit, right down to the scruffy hair and flannel shirts (…at least, when we last checked). If you're looking for a reliable band then the Ruffians have been delivering for over a decade now, but if it's something with a bit more flesh you're after then the devil is in the detail.
The first single off their newest album is a perfect example of this. The lyrical delivery is – as always – peppy and infectious, but the subject matter deals with some uneasy themes. Dissatisfaction and uneasiness runs throughout 'RUFF'. The recent video for 'Don't Live Up' shows the band going round and round the same scenarios, from show to bar to bed and breakfast and back – looking increasingly tired as the cycle drags on. Call it ungrateful if you will but it is fair to say that, while Born Ruffians have had considerable success up to this point, they haven't quite received the widespread recognition they deserve.
It isn't all doom and gloom though. 'Yawn Tears' takes a far more optimistic outlook than is mirrored in the joyous musical arrangement, as does the anthemic 'Eat Shit We Did It'. Musically, Born Ruffians don't deviate too much from the sound they crafted on albums like 'Red Yellow and Blue'. Though there might be plenty of variation and interesting arrangements throughout, there's nothing we can call utterly groundbreaking on here.
Born Ruffians aren't exactly trying to do anything new, rather they're continuing to do what they do well. This is reflected in their lyrics: 'We Made It' touches on the long journey of the band with an honesty about their successes as well as shortcomings. The most curious thing about 'RUFF' is how its narrative seems to hint at a band running out of energy and inspiration, and yet the music itself would say otherwise.
7/10
Words: Jack Dolan
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