KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
Someone at the highest levels of our education system should recruit the Ruby Suns to tour our schools and teach the kids how to play real pop songs.
The Auckland-based band, made up of California-born Ryan McPhun and New Zealanders Amee Robinson and Imogen Taylor, play the type of dreamy pop music that could be just as at home during sing-a-longs on the classroom mat as it is in the pub.
Although they released their self-titled first album in 2005, they are perhaps better known as the band who lost all their gear when their bus caught fire while on tour in the US a few years back. However, with the release of follow-up album Sea Lion, and songs like Kenya Dig It and Tane Mahuta, the world is about to get a feel good hit of pop for summer.
Oh Mojave is perfect for that classroom sing-song and Tane Mahuta is a garage party sing-a-long.
But it's not just cutesy pop. There Are Birds has a merry discord to it, with a rousing percussive interlude; It's Mwangi In Front of Me is lush yet slightly wonky; and Kenya Dig It is propelled by a deadbeat Jesus and Mary Chain rhythm. This is intelligent and fun pop music, people.
Label: Lil' Chief
Verdict: Fun in the sun on second album from local popsters
