This young three-piece from Toronto, Canada played the HUB auditorium at the University of Washington (where I go to school). It was a small, music literate crowd that gathered for a Saturday night show in late November. Cover for students was five dollars.

The Born Ruffians are a haggard bunch with messy hair and lopsided grins. They spent most of the evening selling EPs in the lobby, making change from a leather fanny-pack stuffed with twenties.

It's a fantastic live show, framed by a really dramatic introduction sequence with a recorded sample and an intense singing circle. I'll go so far as to claim it was the best straight-up rock show I've ever witnessed while seated. Yes, that is what I said: best show ever, in seats.

First of all, they dress like The Strokes on cough syrup, which probably makes them cool even before the music starts. Secondly, every song completely filled me with unstoppable joy. After the show, listening to their EP that I bought, every listen got better.

Opening for the Hidden Cameras and coming off of a five-week tour, the Born Ruffians seem to be in top form. They are perhaps more impressive than a perfect combination of the White Stripes, the Arctic Monkeys, and the Kings of Leon. I guess that mixture would also equal Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but I've seen that band live and they can’t compete with the Born Ruffians.

The lyrics and the music have a fantastic optimism and happiness that is both reasonable believable. Unlike certain happy hardcore derivatives, Born Ruffians has an unmatched honesty to their art. Unlike certain emotive and hardcore bands, their honesty is not brutally depressing. Every word uttered is a little cry of joy for the future and every chord struck warms the heart with youthful exuberance. This record makes me believe in tomorrow.

I can't recommend any go-to tacks because it's an EP and every song is amazing.