Reuben

Reuben’s latest LP, 'In Nothing We Trust’ marks the band’s third album, and first release on their new label Hideous Records.

The opening track, 'Cities On Fire’, offers an introduction that was patently designed to grab your attention by the unmentionables. The ghostly guitar line, reminiscent of 'Biffy Clyro’ or 'Hundred Reasons’, that ushers in the first minute is obliterated and reformed with each wave of distorted guitar, leaving you slightly concerned about the wellbeing of your unmentionables.

As 'We’re All Going Home In An Ambulance’ is finishing its harassing, heavy ostainatos it’s time for 'Suffocation of the Soul’ and the best proof since The Knack that no-one is immune to a syncopated, thumping octave bass line. Lenman’s urgent screams of 'I’ve lost it a little bit' almost drowning in the climactic chaos of the main hook as the track collides with its end leave you feeling beaten and invigorated. And you’re only at track three.

The rest of the album, including the samples and dance beats of 'Three Hail Marys’ accompaniment, and the slow marching bass of 'Crushed Under,.’ sounding like the post-hardcore answer to a 'War Of The Worlds’ bass line, paints the picture of a band who want to be anything but predictable.

Pauses in the onslaught, however, are present in good and bad forms. Having never been a fan of the band’s attempts at slower, ballad numbers, I was surprised to find the loveably honest lyrics of 'Good Luck’ bouncing gently along to a disgustingly catchy melody that, when combined with the intertwined vocals of 'Arthur’ front lady Hannah Clarke and Lenman, will have you whistling along.
'Deadly Ninja Assassin’ and 'Agony/Agatha’, meanwhile, fail to affect on the same scale, suffering from weak ('Deadly Ninja Assassin’ would sound more at home on a late 'Offspring’ album) or somewhat inane lyrics ('Agony/Agatha’, while being more catchy than influenza at a spitting contest, is more of an instruction in how to write a radio jingle).

Overall, this is a very adventurous album from a band that is determined not to settle down and stagnate with any one style of sound. Exciting and urgent, it brings much hope for their future releases and even more for the British rock scene.