Australian rockers the Rubens are back with their second album, Hoops, released May 20th via Warner brothers. Recorded in New York and produced by Grammy Award winning David Kahne. This is the follow up to their 2012 self-titled debut album.
In your finest Tony Montana voice say hello to the Rubens: Sam Margin-Guitar/Lead Vocals, Elliott Margin-Keys/Vocals, Zaac Margin-Lead Guitar, Scott Baldwin-Drums and Will ‘Hog’ Zeglis-Bass. Recently performing live on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, we found out lead singer Sam Morgan lived and worked in London for a short time. Now he and the band are back, in a totally different capacity.
First track and lead release is “Hallelujah”, now, If this song was a date, then it would be the perfect speed dating date. Easy to listen to and the near three minutes flies by. Then “Night is on my side” has literally just blown this tiny mind of mind. “This is a sucker punch to spark the lust” which many can identify with, about one of those nights out, that lyric alone, speaks volumes.
“Hoops” is consistent, if smoking was still allowed in music venues then the lighter will be on, raised to the sky and singing with the band, the same can be said about “Switchblade” which has a wonderful guitar crunch at the end. “Bitter End” is rock music with soul, the two together is an ideal mixture and proves fate works.
“Things about to Change” is uplifting. Sam Morgan’s’ voice is effortless, to some extent he’s just talking with melody. In “Battles” he announces “Never ever fall in Love, yeah I got some battle scars, doesn’t matter who you are” this is harmony with darkness…the song ends with “never ever fall in love” a great announcement for school assembly.
My perception of “Hold Me Back”, is about problems with alcohol, needing help but being stopped by pride and no self-control which is an issue many face in their life time, this is a wonderful track that speaks from the heart. With “The Original” and ”The Fool” that closes the album. Hoops has consistency catchy lyrics and hard blues guitar, that is sometimes all I you need.
After paying Dot to Dot festival in Bristol, headlining London venue The Dome, the Rubens are set to play their biggest headline tour to date, in Brisbane to Northwest Festival in Cathlamet.
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