In Print  Home  Directories  Reviews  Get In Touch  Forums  Links  Gig Guide  

Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns: Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns

Right from the start this album nails its colours to the wall with a lush multilayered vocal track about trees shaped like kids immediately followed by an almost lo-fi indie guitar strum along. Imagine Pet Sounds era Brian Wilson wedded to the Dunedin sound and you might come close to describing an album of charming alt pop that has it's roots in the more grandiose productions of the '60s and '70s. In fact similarities with Wilson abound with McPhun, who originally hails from California, performing and recording most of the music himself in his basement studio, although various Brunettes and Tokey Tones put in appearances as well. The songs are full of vocal hooks, some disarmingly twee lyrics and a sonic landscape that has room for melodicas, glockenspiels, old synth sounds and horns along with more traditional pop instrumentation. If there is a downside to the captivating delights of this album it is that it is too easy to play spot the influences, a little Beach Boys here, some Beatles there and at times Beck in his more downbeat mode. For all that though, this is an album that holds immediate appeal with its eclectic array of alt pop sounds.

Related Information