The Ruby Suns : Sea Lion

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/therubysunssealion.jpg" alt=" " />With so many soft, but intricate elements, The Ruby Suns' second album is a shimmering beauty reminiscent of psychedelic, coastline rock of the 60's.  ...
The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
8.2 Sub Pop
2008 

 With so many soft, but intricate elements, The Ruby Suns’ second album is a shimmering beauty reminiscent of psychedelic, coastline rock of the 60’s. Led by a well-developed acoustic interplay and glassy backing instruments, Sea Lion is highly laid-back and charmingly smooth.  The distanced vocals throughout also give it a surreal, enchanting feel.  In a mix of sunshine pop, psych effects, and folk-y tenderness, this is a wonderfully diverse effort with a loving pulse.

The opener, “Blue Penguin” keeps with the nature show theme and begins with a sunrise effect of buzzing noise and a quiet acoustic guitar giving way to a front porch swing of acoustic guitars, thin drums, and airy vocals.  “Oh, Mojave” boosts the energy as a quicker shuffle that introduces more affability into the mix.   The campfire chant qualities of “Tane Mahuta” make Sea Lion one of the friendliest albums of the year.

The rest of the album consists of more drawn-out, slower movements that aim to soothe, save for the metallic jungle vibe of “There Are Birds” and the adventurous closer “Kenya Dig It?”.  “It’s Mwangi in Front of Me” will lower your blood pressure in any situation, while “Remember” is a molasses-soaked ballad with the sincerity and tenderness of 60’s pop innocence.

Sea Lion might just be the nicest album you run into all year that doesn’t resort to high-energy tricks.  Velvety effects create a unique and genuinely inviting sound that seems embodies the calm strangeness of their home country, New Zealand.

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