HotPress

"…The Rubens add their own magic ingredient to make the influences of the past seem relevant for today…touches of soul…big sweeping strings & guitar chords…stirring trumpets…and choruses to die for…Harmony pop heaven! We have no right to ask for more …"

-JACKIE HAYDEN,

 

Evening Herald

“…The Irish music scene seriously needs The Rubens. They give it that "something new" it badly needs…”

-AIDAN COUGHLAN,

 

Scene ( Sligo )

"…A rollicking debut from the freshest acoustic-pop band to hit Ireland 's music scene in quite some time..."

-ORLA MURHY,

Excerpt :

“…Somewhere in deepest County Longford there is a garage brimming with brilliance and bouncing with beats. Located amid the tools, mower and plant pots, DIY studios is home to The Rubens whose debut EP 'Esmerelda' is a 5-track masterpiece of fevered funk, psychedelic pop and sweet soul music. It's a release which is sure to attract attention and hopefully bring them the fame and fortune they deserve.

And We Danced - a memorable hum along tune and a great first track for the EP. A feel-good feeling...La ti Da ti Da...all the way to the bank with this one!

Cigarette Girl - Gentle, smoky and sultry. Twinkling with morning sunlight, this is a slow number to lighten any lonely heart.

Cheeky Munky - a meld of jumpy indie groove and head nodding rock that makes wiggly dancing a must. And just when you think it's all over... acapella voices for a chill out finale in true groovy stylie.

In The Night Time - Like Kylie and Jason, telling both sides of the same story... The strong voices and harmonies rise together, smooth and smoochy, but too good to be cheesy! “

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Athlone Topic

"...From the floating "Cigarette Girl" to the unforgettable "Damage", The Rubens rocked as if playing to a sold-out stadium. These guys are electric. Who knew Longford had so much talent?! By the end of the set you are only left wondering one thing-why aren't these guys famous yet? My advice? Get out and see them while you can still get their autographs..."

-CHRIS KELLY,

 

Longford Leader

“…It's not often that Leader Entertainment can say that a local band are on the verge of something big and to watch out for them. However The Rubens are an exception to this. Two Carrickedmond lads, Danny (23) and Jed Belton (22) are the song-writing talents behinds the group, and slowly slowly they are building up a serious groundswell of support nationwide. It's grassroots stuff at the moment but hardly for too much longer. Those who caught their last Longford gig in The Zone can vouch for the excellence of their live show. They've already recorded their debut EP, Esmerelda, which is an extraordinarily accomplished start. It looks brilliant, it sounds better! ”

-ROBERT COX,

 

Galway Now

“…Already described as an "Irish Maroon 5", songs from their debut EP, Esmerelda, are beginning to feature more and more on the Irish airwaves. Fresh from their successful Oct/Nov 2004 tour and shifting 2,000 copies of the EP, their plan for 2005 is to "put the life and soul back into pop". Maybe these guys could redeem the soul of Simon Cowell! ”

-JON RICHARDS,

IMRO magazine

“…The Midlands-based indie-rock group The Rubens are impressing a lot of industry heads with their song "Cigarette Girl" and their tireless commitment to gigging. They've won lots of new fans with their recent live on-air performances on Anna Livia FM among other stations they've visited up and down the country…”

-SLEEVE NOTES, Industry gossip and rumours, MQ,

 

HotPress

“…Danny Belton has a simple aim. “Before The Rubens` career finishes"' he says confidently “I want to have made one record that will fit nicely within my all-time top-ten records." It's a simple aim. Simple because the group's initial foray into the recording world indicates that it's an achievable goal.

The Rubens` Esmerelda EP is that rare thing among Irish releases-a quirky accessible pop record that is interesting enough to sustain repeated listens.

At their core, the group are pure pop. The songs are simple and catchy, whilst simultaneously infused with the sounds of America , incorporating an upbeat tempo and a lazy sunshine feel.

Currently in the process of demoing material for their forthcoming album, January and February 05 will be spent recording while March sees the band return to the road at the bequest of a growing legion of fans. Irish pop will be all the better for it...”

- STEVEN CUMMINS,

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  Galway Independent

“…Co. Longford pop sensations, The Rubens, make a welcome return to Galway tonight after the success of their last Galway gig in early October, when the lads entertained a packed house in Busker Brownes with their upbeat songs, lively stage antics and gorgeous harmonies. Their debut EP, Esmerelda has been receiving rave reviews and significant airplay on over 30 Irish radio stations, including substantial support from Galway Bay's own champion of new Irish music, Jon Richards…”

- RONAN LEONARD,

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