The Ruby Suns – ‘The Ruby Suns' (Lil’ Chief) Released 11/12/06

‘California Pop’ is a label thrown around far too easily these days, especially if a band’s sound comprises of a beach boy-esque flamboyant approach with massive harmonies and a feel for psychedelic drug intake, but how many bands actually pull it off well? The Californian Anton Newcombe wannabe in the form of Ryan McPhun shipped his sun drenched pop tunes all the way to New Zealand, after escaping the perils of Los Angeles, (maybe he just couldn’t get noticed out there…who knows?) in the hope of taking his one man project to new shores and drafting in a gaggle of musicians. One thing is for sure though - The Ruby Suns just don’t have what it takes to get noticed outside the incestuous band circles McPhun has been quoted in trying to escape.

Kicking off the album is the quite cleverly layered ac cappella ditty that is ‘Trees Like Kids’ that gives quite a decent indication as to what the rest of the album is going to sound like, as overly layered instrumentation tries desperately to make up for a lack of skill in writing a decent song. Boring track follows boring track as McPhun’s monotone voice trails off as if he’s smacked up and barely conscious, leaving it down to his backing band to try their best to find some kind of cool amidst horrible Shins rip offs and unappealing lyrics that have a contrived romantic feel to them yet just don’t obtain any interest.

Much is the same with ‘Criterion’ that has such lyrical gems like ‘You deserve to be with the one you love’ repeated over and over in their attempt at a chorus. The blatant need to become the next musical genius/madman is evident in tracks such as ‘Maasai Mara’ and ‘Birthday On Mars’ that sound like they could have been lifted from that infamous album ‘Give It Back’ by The BJM.

McPhun is quite obviously happy to sound like everybody else without giving an LP too much thought, as an EP would have better suited this band rather than a 40 minute assault, it would have given them time to select better quality songs rather than throw down everything they’ve got at once, and as they are quite obviously talented musicians they have just let that elusive catchy song get away.

To recap, The Ruby Suns sound like they have tried to sound like they stepped right out of the ‘Beach Bum’ culture postcards that would have appeared in the 60’s newsstands, went to watch a Brian Jonestown Massacre show and lifted some of The Shins throwaway b-sides all in aid of chasing that all important time withstanding tune, when all they have done is created an album full of dull, dreary shoegazey inoffensive pop songs that don’t really go anywhere. Without a hook in sight, a decent chorus or even a memorable line to be seen, this band have got a decent amount of homework to get through before they pull off the soundscapes they so love to pay homage to.