Ruby Suns 'Sea Lion' making a big splash overseas

Media Release: March 14th ,  2008

Media Contact: Lisa Paris Ph.09 631 7741 lisa@thelabel.co.nz

The Ruby Suns 'Sea Lion' making a big splash overseas

The world's most illustrious music press are paying homage to NZ band The Ruby Suns newly released album Sea Lion. This week, added to the praise pile is the coveted "Best New Music" title from highly regarded indie tastemaker website Pitchfork.

The Ruby Suns are currently on tour in the US, including 6 shows at SXSW in Austin Texas this week and can clearly expect a continued glowing response as they travel to the UK mid April.

With comparisons moving from Brian Wilson to The Animal Collective and a sound described as being in the upper echelon of modern experimental pop, The Ruby Suns have engaged in an ostensible cross-pollination, taking Aotearoa Stateside with the Polynesian rhythms and strong Pacific influences which feature heavily on Sea Lion. 

News Just In: ** The Ruby Suns' album was the "biggest mover" on the CMJ Radio 200 Airplay chart this week ... up 86 places to #24.

Pitchfork (US) - BEST NEW MUSIC - 8.3/10 album review: "ultimately, skillfully creating sunny psych-pop…. the album's building blocks ooze with a homespun grace… Sea Lion likely will be pegged a great guitar-pop album, but it's more sonically complex than that suggests."

The Times (UK) 4 star review -  "when (The Ruby Suns) mixes up Bowie's Heroes, Phil Spector, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Pale Saints, as on Adventure Tour and Kenya Dig It?, the results verge on the spiritual. Buy now, soak in the vibrations at sunrise every morning from June to August."

The Independent (UK) - "With the sleigh bells, droning organ, toytown horns and soaring counterpoint harmonies of Remember, and the shimmering haze of birdsong and marimba of Morning Sun, Sea Lion explores musical regions as varied and remote as McPhun's travels, and just as fascinating… An ear boggling collection of blissful pop"

 Word (UK)  - "Fairytale pop that's bold and forward-looking in equal measure."

The Sunday Times (UK) - "A beguiling sophomore album"

All Music Guide 4.5 star review - "Culture clashes never sounded so good."

Mojo (UK) 4 star review - "Ryan's predilection for Wilsonesque harmonies, glockenspiel, etc, erupts into twinkly fairytale pop that's bold and forward-looking in equal measure. This one's a real brain-buster."

NME (UK) 7/10 star review - ""a more complex and less twee record, travel-worn and weird. A strange, lovely trip."

Drownedinsound (UK)-  "Sea Lion is a palette of inspiration where songs about ancient trees ('Tane Mahuta') and New Zealand's southernmost point ('Adventure Tour') can sound like a cross between Brian Wilson taking control of New Order to floaty psychedelia like The Shins covering the aforementioned Avery Tare-fronted outfit. Sea Lion is a sublime record...(and) by the time the end-of-year lists come out nine months from now, expect it to figure prominently in the hearts and minds of both critics and punters alike." 

Lastbroadcast.co.uk (UK) - "The Ruby Suns have here produced a remarkable art-rock album, at once experimental and restrained, inflated without over indulgence. As a successful crossover for traditional music it is unlikely to be bettered anytime soon."

Shindig (UK) - "For someone of just 24 years old, McPhun displays great imagination coupled with a voice of beauty and the art of craft. With foresight this is exactly how the psychedelic pioneers tackled the musical tapestry that lay before them."

CURRENT RELEASES:  Radiohead / Cat Power / Adele / Luke Thompson

Little Bushman /  Nathan Haines / The White Stripes / M.I.A /

The Brunettes / Pitch Black / Dizzee Rascal / The National / Beirut /

Sneaky Sound System / Ruby Suns/ Cave Singers / Mountian Goats

LABEL MANAGEMENT FOR: XL Recordings / 4AD / Matador / Too Pure /

Beggars Banquet / Playlouder / Abeano / DotDash

NZ ARTISTS:  The Brunettes / Little Bushman / Ruby Suns /

Nathan Haines / Miriam Clancy / Luke Thompson & Pitch Black

RADIO: Luke Thompson / Sneaky Sound System / Donald Reid, Adele 

TOURING: Little Bushman -March 15/16 Arts fest Wgtn, Miriam Clancy March 19 Whammy Bar,

 Mountain GoatsApril 19 Akl 20 Wgtn, Luke Thompson March 12 Tabac Akl.

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