Over the past few years, Warp Records, which since the early ’90s has
been putting out some of the most forward-thinking electronic albums,
has been venturing into more rock/pop territory. But the label is, and
has always upheld its reputation as being, one step ahead of the
curvenow, instead of primarily focusing on reclusive production
freaks, it’s propelling bands like Grizzly Bear, Battles, and the
Toronto pop threesome Born Ruffians further into the spotlight. Born
Ruffians are particularly fascinating, in that their quirky sense of
self-awareness and discovery are bound by jangly, broken-pop
compositions filled with off-kilter vocal fluctuations and zigzagging
enunciation that collapses into mumbles. There’s something incredibly
familiar about it (Talking Heads meets Violent Femmes, maybe?), but
it’s unique. Their brand-spankin’-new full-length, Red, Yellow, and
Blue (as much of a colorful display as the most literal person could
imagine), is like a toy you have more fun with the more you play with
ityou’ll discover interesting subtleties in both music and lyrics and
fall in love before you know it. With Cadence Weapon and the Village
Green. TRAVIS RITTER
Sat., March 22, 9 p.m., 2008
