There's this band called The Ruby Suns. They used to be called Ryan McPhun & The Ruby Suns, now it's practically just Ryan McPhun who is McRunning things.
Mr McPhun is clearly pretty well connected. He played in bands like The Brunettes and The Tokey Tones (I liked both of those bands). And then he went off to have some McPhun on his own...
The first album (The Ruby Suns) was okay...but then in 2008 there was Sea Lion. And now we have Fight Softly.
I reckon Fight Softly is charlatanism - and I compared the album to things like The Animal Collective.
People were unhappy - that's fine of course. I'm voicing my opinion with a review and they're voicing their opinions with comments...just as you voice your opinion here when you comment on this blog. But I was interested that people got a bit defensive about the comparison to The Animal Collective. Or maybe I just read in to that?
History will not be kind to The Animal Collective (refer to them as "The Animal Collection" if you really want to wind up the band's fans - it works).
The Animal Collection can't write songs.
Anyway - I've printed my review below - because it was in last week's Dominion Post and I'm keen to know if it is just me that doesn't get the buzz with this hipster-darling? Do you like The Ruby Suns? And if you do what is so great about them/him (Ruby Suns stuff is basically a solo project, as I understand it).
THE RUBY SUNS
Fight Softly
Lil' Chief Records
While I can't turn around and say this is the most awful album I have heard - I am pretty sure it's one of the more annoying. The Ruby Suns are the equivalent of that kid that sat next to you in class and kept trying to copy your work; you'd hunker down and bury your head to cover the words, your elbow pointing dangerously in the direction of the new enemy as you used it to guard your work and as some form of threat. It would never work though - the annoying copycat would always see through and the teacher would tell you to stop being silly for your troubles. Well - that annoying kid is Ryan McPhun and he's been peering over the shoulder and somehow under the elbow of bands like Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear and The Flaming Lips. It's not (quite) plagiarism but it must come close...mustn't it? I can't quite work out why people get so excited about The Ruby Suns - it's pop music that is not memorable enough to exist in and of its own right and the world music inflections are an elaborate bluff.
2 Stars
I gave it two stars - that's not bad. That's better than one. But some people were unhappy with that. See here for the review comments that have gathered already. And place your own comment below. Are you a fan of this music? Are The Ruby Suns just our version of an Animal Collection or some of those other bands? And does it matter if they are?
What do YOU think about The Ruby Suns?
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is this about the Ruby Suns or your dislike of Animal Collective?
Me I like both...
From the moment I first heard Maasai Mara I knew this Ryan McPhun chap had something special going on... the Lichen Ears EP sealed the deal and everything since has only reinforced my appreciation for this band
yes they wear their influences on their sleeve as do so many... thats bad?
so why continue picking on them Simon? I hope there is more to this than the reaction you know you'll get... your review and todays blog does nothing to suggest anything else
: yawn :
I've never heard of The Ruby Suns, The Brunettes, The Tokey Tones, The Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear or The Flaming Lips.
But I thought I'd comment anyway because the review made me laugh.
I don't like the Ruby Suns because I find them twee and boring, and their songs unmemorable. I don't associate them in any way, shape or form with "the Animal Collective".
I DO like "The Animal Collective" though - they can write songs and, on their last two albums and the recent EP, they actually did write songs. Lots of great songs, not just weird noises and droning (although there was plenty of that too). I'm just sorry you can't hear them.
Ah I am so sorry to say this because Ryan seems like a really nice guy and I may not be able to judge on the actual album as I've only seen him perform it live, but honestly, I was so disappointed with what I saw. Too hyped! Everybody was right into it and there I was, standing in the middle of a dancing crowd telling myself that something must be wrong with me, because everybody else likes it. Kind of glad you wrote this blog.
While I won't defend the Ruby Suns (they are ok, but yes, a little derivative), I have to balk at your dismissive nature towards Animal Collective. They certainly can write songs, and their album 'Feels' (my favourite of theirs) is pretty solid proof of that. You seem to have an issue not only with the band, but fans of the band, which is pretty mature for a professional music journalist. I realise they are a hipster favourite, but that doesn't automatically mean they are bad.
Ever since I started reading your blog I have heard you put down great music because it also happens to be 'cool' at the time, and give out about people having fun at shows. Are you my Dad? if so, can I borrow Bob Seger's greatest hits again, I lost my copy?
the review was rubbish. lazy and poorly written. plain and simple. i could feel myself getting dumber the more i read. thankfully it was a short review. i don't know anything/care about the ruby suns/animal collective but if i did i'd be pretty pissed too.
I agree with both samm #1, and T-Rex #3. I love it when people get upset by simons comments....they are just one opinion after all. I don't get upset by his comments about Muse! haha.
I've found the Ruby Suns to have nothing authentic or original to contribute. It may sound pretty, but it is like eating McDonalds and calling it 'cuisine'.
I have one thing to say...
Who? I've never heard of the Ruby Suns...And i'm hardly 'out of touch' with the music scene either...
I've admittedly got no opinion on the question at hand, but the discussion should be interesting. I'll go make some popcorn....