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I still don’t know how this EP got past me since it’s been out for over six months. I want to be ashamed, but the bottom line is I have it now. If you like Born Ruffians at all, you’re going to be extra stoked on this. If you don’t like Born Ruffians yet, hopefully the extra tracks below will show you the light.

The EP features five new songs and two remixes. With normally high standards for the Ruff’s, I went into the Plinky Plonk EP with low expectations. I figured there must have been a reason it took so long for the EP to find me. The first five tracks were just about as good as they could get. The Born Ruffians I love, moving forward with an already uniquely amazing sound. Luke Lalonde is a creative mastermind when it comes to his catchy guitar riffs. His lyrics are on another level as they always seem to be right on point and pleasantly easy to sing along to.

My favorite off the EP would have to be “Like When You.” The track starts off really ambient but slowly transforms into a light hearted dancy jam. It gives me a feel of Hot Hot Heat back in the Elevator days. Another track I thought really stood out was “Pool Party Fun.” As upbeat as the name suggests, the song actually is one of the more mellow Born Ruffians song I’ve heard. More on the sad side, but very easily relatable. “It sucks when you find someone, but they don’t find you.” It’s just cool to see the emotional range of these guys, while they still manage to stay positive and have lots of fun through their other tracks. The only thing keeping the EP from being perfect is the Acorn remix of “Nova-Leigh.” That being one of my favorite tracks off Say It, this rendition fails to encompass the initial greatness and leaves this EP with its only dud.

Overall, really great stuff from a really great band. I got it a few days ago and have not been able to give it a rest…but I’m shuffling through all their stuff old stuff at the same time too. They’ve got some pretty cool live recordings on Daytrotter.com that are free for download. If you like this EP, buy it on iTunes here. It’s only 4 bucks, and hey! I’m sure they could use the help.

TRACKLIST

1. Plinky Plonky
2. Like When You
3. First Date Kid
4. Retard Canard II
5. Pool Party Fun
6. What To Say (VOWLS Remix)
7. Nova-Leigh (Acorn Remix)

BONUS RUFFIANS

I was going to put Delightful Choice! by the one’s i thought were best, but if you like even one of these you’re bound to like them all. They’re some of my favorites.
I’m One Of Those Girls Album: Self Titled
Little Garçon Album: Red, Yellow and Blue
Barnacle Goose Album: Red, Yellow and Blue
Nova-Leigh Album: Say It
Oh Man Album: Say It

Click here to download all the songs in this post in one shot!

Credit: Jason Shindler

Halloween is getting closer, and I find myself seeking out reasons to talk about it regularly. I’ll spare you in this post. To keep my mind off it, I’ve been going to shows in LA as often as I can. The most recent was Born Ruffians at the Troubadour. The first time I went to see these guys was a major date fail, because it sold out when we got there. Round 2, although, was a major success. I had heard great things about the Troubadour, but for some reason never went. They get pretty big acts to play there regularly, and it’s a relatively small/intimate venue. The bars were very accessible, and there was one exclusive to 21+ fans with a great view from upstairs. One of the coolest places I’ve been to without a doubt, especially for this music. To top it all off, Born Ruffians played a flawless set.

Their second album Red, Yellow and Blue is one of my favorite albums of all time. They played everything I wanted to hear from all of their albums with the utmost perfection that one could ask for. The sing-alongs and their energy matched the positive, uplifting vibes of their recordings to the tee. Definitely going to see them again when they return. I haven’t had that much fun at an indie show since I can remember. I even got a souvenir drum stick and this video to relive the occasion:

Click to Download

Delightful Mention!

Artist: Two Gallants
A gallant (gal-ant) is defined as being someone who is unflinching in battle or action. Pretty accurate description of the ferocity and passion behind these guys’ music. What intrigued me almost immediately about Two Gallants is that it really does consist of only two dudes. They are a folk/rock duo from San Francisco, made up of Adam Stephens on guitar/harmonica/vocals and Tyson Vogel on drums and backing vocals. Stephens’ raspy voice and mad guitar picking skills puts him apart from most people I’ve ever heard. The fact that he can put together such beautiful guitar lines while singing AND playing the harmonica always gets me. I can only imagine the hard work and bloody fingers he put in to multi-task as such. Most of the songs have more of a bluesy mood to them that is tough to listen to all the time.

I tried to include some of the more inspiring catchy songs that hooked me at the beginning. I put in some serious time to all three of their albums when I was going through an interesting point in my life. Pretty sure I owe most of my sanity to them. They’ve got some really powerful lyrics and one of my favorite lines of all time: “Never let your weakness show.” A really great all around band for people who are into the more folky/bluesy sound that takes you through the downtimes of life. It’s always nice to listen to a band that feels your pain…no homo.