Remember when indie rock sounded, well, indie? Before every upstart buzz band had access to a pocket symphony? On their second album, Say It, Toronto’s Born Ruffians recall those simpler times. The stripped-down minimalism—guitar, bass, drums and little fuss—is endearing, and there are a handful of keepers on the record like the rolling “What to Say” and the killer opener “Oh Man.” Though compared to contemporaries such as Vampire Weekend, who play in a similar sonic sandbox, the hooks don’t always hold up as well. Still, Luke Lalonde’s manic, inspired vocals remain compelling, grabbing your attention even during the album’s more languid tracks.
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2010.