| home |
They are found tonight in all their fully-formed, emotive glory, a rock band who write the most beautiful pop songs and fire them with such irresistible dynamics and vitality. This is the sound of the more cerebral end of heavy music, highlighting a lyrical and instrumental sharpness which sets them apart from their nu-metal / grunge peers; huge, soaring melodies barely restrained by the raw density of Jamie Lenman's riffs. There is a tenderness, an expansive warmth, about the songs, especially the vocal harmonies on the stunning 'Parties', yet in eschewing the clichéd quiet-loud formula, they are more aligned with Helmet and neighbours Hundred Reasons than the oft-compared Foo Fighters. Still, though, they possess that sense of contrast, the ability to make the softest inflection sound the most powerful; witness 'Death Of A Star', a delicate intro which bursts into hugely vigorous life. Or 'Shambles', threatening to explode only to fade out on a whimsical piano motif. Reuben would appear to have most things in their favour, the songs, the lack of pretension, and the style to be this good when not at their absolute best. Expect even greater things in the very near future. Steve |