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The Ruby Suns: Sea Lion

20th March 2008 | by Theo Ellington

Moving as far as possible to the south west of Cornwall will bring your attention to many things over the years, Cornish pasties, seagulls, winding narrow country roads... but what will amaze more is when you find out the fact that there is a large amount of people that have barely even ventured outside the borders of their own county, let alone tread foot far away to another completely alien land.

Though Cornwall being such a wonderful and interesting place makes not wanting to leave it fairly understandable, it does however serve as a good parallel musically. For instance the mass majority of artists are so content to stay in their own space of sound that they never feel the need to venture out elsewhere for a search of more unusual sounds and new inspiration, often resulting in one dimensional thinking. In this band we find people in the constant want of new knowledge; The Ruby Suns whose founding member Ryan McPhun is anything but content with staying in one place. Moving away from California to his new found home in New Zealand has left the Ruby suns with a much fresher, varied approach than on their self-titled debut.

As put forth already, a strong sense of exploration is present from the outset with "Blue Penguin" seeming to be searching for that key to a lost puzzle with bells rattling out and odd noises rolling back and forth in the periphery, when the door is unlocked on “Oh, Mojave”, a great stretch in diversity can be appreciated as they go the full 120 yards in terms of creating believable and true musical pieces which reflect the cultural traditions they have set themselves in beautifully. Right from the carefully constructed poly-rhythmic timbers seen, even going as far as submitting to singing entirely on "Oh, Mojave" in Māori the tongue of the Polynesian people who live in New Zealand. This follows suit on "Tane Mahuta". "Remember" is backed by brass horns, piano and ample amounts of yielding percussion as it takes steps into the dreamy land of nod-like status where lyrics speak of remembering when you saw the sun set. Which although not as lyrically fantastic as it should have been is certainly still a pleasure to listen.

If The Ruby Suns do manage to gain success it will somewhat be by means of the comparisons to Panda Bear. That being said, The Ruby Suns certainly have their own unique spicy qualities, And the final track approaching as if it were the ending score to some unwritten 80's teen movie "Morning Sun" is a step back into retro like indie with electronic drum kit included and sounding how we had hoped the second album - "Some Loud Thunder" - by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah would have sounded.

"Sea Lion" marks another attempt at bringing another cultural mood-set all the way back into the western world and pop environment. With Ryan McPhun's love of all thing odd and intriguing really echoing through all the way, this makes for another 'worthy of success' release for 2008.

Rating:  8 / 10