The Rubens: Album Review

New South Wales Indie rock group The Rubens have launched into the music scene with their self-titled debut album. Debuting third on the Aria album chart, their LP is anticipated as a scope for big things to come. Produced by Grammy award winner David Kahne, who has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor and The Strokes, each song possesses a cool soul groove.

Formed in February 2011, three brothers and a childhood friend recorded a demo in the family home, this demo now known as single, ‘Laying it down’, which made it to #57 in Triple J’s 2011 Hottest 100 poll. The Rubens created this demo with no idea that it would take them to living in Manhatten, NYC and then only months later releasing a highly acclaimed album. With blues tones, lingering vocals and fat guitar this album is one for the bucket list.

‘The Best We Got’ opens the album with an unexpected piano solo before parading a heavier anthem of hope. Front man, Sam Margin, immediately swoons you with his warm tones, a lure he holds for all eleven tracks. Without the essential synth parts by Elliot Margin, a stellar amount of depth would be missing from the album, kudos compliments to each member of the band, each being a part of the puzzle of The Rubens. Strong lyrics transcend a break up theme; heartache filling each song like a teenage adolescent on cheap wine. Foreboding lyrics make you as a listener want to give the boys a hug and tell them it’s all going to be okay. These boys seem to play like they’ve been jamming together for more than a year, the sizzling composition of their work is set to help them gain fans.

Each track goes from strength to strength with 1950’s feel ‘Elvis’ adding a retro notion, ‘The Day You Went Away’, a head bopping song featuring burly backing vocals by a Margin brother. ‘Paddy’ has psychedelic cloud nine undertones with a crescendo of prominent gospel organ mixes. Bewitching ‘Never Be The Same’ boasts a screeching guitar solo. Stand out track ‘My Gun’ currently gaining significant air time on commercial radio is an unexpected winner for fans and critics alike.

A downfall of the album would be apparent in the structure of each song, majority opening on a single instrument before welcoming the rest of the band. It wouldn’t have been finicky to see some more variation. All round though it was a cohesive captivating album credited mostly to the rejuvenation of blues rock.

The Rubens will be rocking Perth, Friday 5th October, at The Capitol as a part of the bands national album tour.