THE REBS - review added 6th May 2010
Album Review: In A Heartbeat (2010)
For fans of: Indie Alt Rock... and technicolor hearts
Alternative indie rockers The Rebs were formed in 2007 in Southern England. During their brief existence they have shared the stage with Supergrass, The Kaiser Chiefs, The Zutons and more, as well as winning a high-profile 'battle-of-the-bands' contest against two and a half thousand other entries.
In A Heartbeat is the band's debut release, and sees the foursome - Russell Edmonds on guitar and vocals, Nader Rezaie on bass, Vicky Averre-Beeson on keys and Sim Cracknell on drums - pumping out a fine selection of tracks. The album perhaps lacks a modicum of consistency to carry it to legendary status, but when it works it really is brilliant. In fact, so much or it is brilliant it's easy to forgive and forget the lesser moments.
The sound is a hybrid of bouncy pop, indie and alt rock. It's young, fresh and pleasantly contemporary, although it nods feverishly to great music from the 1960s and 1970s. Russell Edmonds has an über-cool voice that's built for sounding trendy in TV adverts. In fact, if none of these songs make it onto the small screen I'll be surprised. This album is a marketing man's dream.
Best moments? 'Always In A Heartbeat' is vast, although it arguably borrows some of it's lyrical ideas from The Dandy Warhols. 'Don't Fool Yourself' is charming. The achingly catchy 'Keep Smiling' is a future anthem. 'Happy Face' is street-savvy and chart-ready, as is 'Superman'. 'Silver Lining' is a chilled take on breathtaking. It, and the equally stunning 'Just To See' are fighting for honours as best track on the album. Seriously, these songs are sublime!
In A Heartbeat is so close to greatness it's not true. Take away a couple of the lesser tracks, add another couple of big'uns, this could have slayed. Still, it really is bloody good anyway. If you like the lighter end of rock, or the better end of pop, check this out!
Check out... 'Silver Lining' and 'Just To See'. Oh. and all the rest too.
Track List:
01. Would I Remember
02. Always In A Heartbeat
03. Flesh & Bones
04. Don't Fool Yourself
05. Keep Smiling
06. Wish Your Love Away
07. Happy Face
08. Superman
09. Silver Lining
10. Just To See
11. Leave It All Behind
Artist's website(s): MySpace
