Review – The Ruffled Feathers

Album: Hand-Me-Down Centuries
Release Date: July 28, 2017
Genre: Indie Pop

Vancouver based pop group The Ruffled Feathers have released their second full length album, Hand-Me-Down Centuries, a record which has been in the works for about three years, following their 2014 release, Bottom Of The BlueHand-Me-Down Centuries acts as the group’s fourth release and continues to build on their indie pop legacy.

The album starts with the Latin infused rhythms and soft horns of “Burgundy”; a soft track where the melody shifts from the vocals of Gina Loes, to gentle trumpets and arranged strings.  The song is fun and bouncy, and like much of the rest of Hand-Me-Down Centuries makes use of different instrumentation and rich vocal harmonies from the band.  I find that it is these elements which make The Ruffled Feathers stand out among the growing Canadian indie pop scene as they borrow elements from folk – as heard from the strings on “How Many Days”- pop- as heard on the lead single, “Cadaverine”- and indie rock – “Wood Buffalo”.

“Cadaverine”, Hand-Me-Down Centuries­’ single is among the albums most interesting for its synthesis of electric pop and instrumental parts to create a coherent and unique song that is as influenced by modern pop titans as it is by groovy alternative rock artists such as the recent work by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  The use of guitar effect pedals and synth, along with strings, horns, and moving vocals give the song a beyond catchy feeling that, while entirely based around a very simple rhythmic and harmonic progressions, continues to remain fresh through added elements, textures, and an overall building of momentum throughout the songs play through.  “Cadaverine” is not only one of the records most interesting tracks, but it is also one of the most exciting, making it the perfect single, and introduction to the record.  Unfortunately, for myself, Hand-Me-Down Centuries seems to peak with “Cadaverine”- three songs in- to the point where much of the rest of the album feels as if it is trying to capture the same vibe and excitement.  The Ruffled Feathers come close on the jazzy “Strange Dreams” where Andrew Lee takes lead vocals, giving the song a major shift in direction and tone compared to the rest of the album, but to some it may seem a bit too far out of left field as it seems like a fairly random track.  That being said, it is one of the better ones, and I am glad they chose to include it.

The Ruffled Feathers fourth release and second full length record, Hand-Me-Down Centuries is a fun indie pop record which showcases the group’s song writing ability in a way which makes indie pop unique from a wide range of stylistic influences, interesting instrumentation, and stellar vocal harmonies.  Nonetheless, the album feels a touch too long, with many songs sitting around the same vibe, giving a feeling that there is little contrast between songs.  Hand-Me-Down Centuries would have been much stronger as a five or six song EP; however, it is still a solid album which highlights just how much potential The Ruffled Feathers have to bring a level of sophistication to today’s indie pop.

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