In Nothing We Trust - Reuben (Album Review)
Reuben are a bit of a conundrum, their music is nothing short of magnificent and yet they never seem to get any bigger. It’s hard to see why a band that has been making such catchy and beguiling rock music for the past 10 years has never really hit the ‘big time’, if you will. In Nothing We Trust is the Surrey trio’s third studio album, following their excellent debut effort, Racecar is Racecar Backwards and 2005’s equally lauded Very Fast Very Dangerous. It also marks the band’s move to Hideous Records, an independent label they created themselves in order to have more control over their future releases, adding another notable graduate to Xtra Mile’s ever growing list.
For a band that shares their name with the first son of Jacob and Leah (from God’s Holy Bible, no less) it's unsurprising that Reuben are a group with an interesting background. Having been around since the late 90s, they've watched label mates and genre buddies rise and fall, vanishing after one successful album or trying to constantly change their sound in order to panda to the masses. But level-heads and unique creativity have prevailed as Reuben continue to do what they do best, guitar-based rock sans compromise. They’ve always seemingly transcended genre trends, refusing to acquiesce with majority opinion and consequently developing a unique, ever maturing sound.
In Nothing We Trust is largely an amalgamation of the two styles seen in the band's previous records, it contains the raw and throaty sound of Racecar is Racecar Backwards but also borrows polished, tighter elements from Very Fast Very Dangerous, resulting in a marriage indicative of Reuben’s intentions.
Beginning with the deceptively quiet intro to ‘Cities on Fire’, In Nothing We Trust embarks on a quest which aspires to school you in the art of rocking the fuck out. What ensues is an aural flogging of the highest quality, whether it’s the lyrical poignancy of ‘Crushed Under the Weight of Enormous Bullshit’ or the power pop sucker punch of ‘Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin’. But, alas, whilst the line-up is strong, the record lacks a real definitive track. The first single ‘Blood Bunny Larkhall’ is an obvious candidate and sure, it’s likely to get you slamming into your friends at a gig (although I recommend a sit down and a warm cup of cocoa in lieu of violence), but it lacks the pep and verve of previous hook tracks such as ‘Let’s Stop Hanging Out’ or ‘Kick in the Mouth’.
'Good Luck' is perhaps the most refreshing track on the album, essentially acting as an interval to Reuben's predominantly metal stylings. Featuring a guest appearance from Hannah Turner, vocalist from Hampshire-based band Arthur, the song's mellow acoustic vibe is alluring and velvety; a less pacey Biffy Clyroesque sound. But, a mere interlude it is, as its fellow tracks harbour heavy riffs aplenty, each and every one breaking down with ear popping ferocity; perhaps none more so than 'Suffocation of the Soul' which takes you to varying plateaus of volume during its rather lengthy 7 minute run-time.
From Jamie Lenman's first rasping growl to the waning twang of 'A Short History of Nearly Everything', In Nothing We Trust stands austere and appealing in the face of its convoluted and unexceptional counterparts. It is, once again, a superb offering from Reuben. But unfortunately, the lack of a distinctive, theme encapsulating track leaves them a few notches short of perfection.
9/10
Released: 25/06/07
Label: Hideous Records
Posted by David | 
July 31, 2007 1:37 AM | Permalink | 
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