Born Ruffians: Red, Yellow & Blue

Label: Warp

Granted we’re not even through March yet, but the Born Ruffians’ Red, Yellow & Blue is thus far my favorite rock album of the year. This Toronto trio’s debut full-length on Warp sizzles with hooks, style and a wonderfully frenzied energy, with jangly guitar riffs, tight and melodic bass playing, and lead singer’s Luke LaLonde’s warbled vocals and wry wordplay bringing to mind the likes of Animal Collective, Modest Mouse and Built to Spill. The guitar-bass-drums format hardly breaks ground, but the band always keeps things interesting by throwing you a hook, whether it’s the sudden introduction of doo-wop harmonies, a tinkling piano or rapid shift in rhythm. With nary a bad track on the record, Red, Yellow & Blue is a triumph. (James)