QUEEP ORGANIC MUSIC ( UK )

“…Every so often a CD just blows our minds away. The Rubens` Esmerelda EP has made a lasting impression on us. Songs we are unlikely to forget, which on first listen seem totally fresh but strangely familiar.

If the word pop usually turns you off, then take a risk with The Rubens. These two talented brothers have something very fresh, and meaningful, to make a start on attempting to win back the airwaves. Let's hope they get the chance, because no recent sound is more deserving in our ears!”

Excerpt:

“…The two brothers from Longford attempt to put some quality back into the mainstream, and beat the usual suspects hands down. This is soulful, meaningful, credible, popular music with style.

Since setting up the site we have had the pleasure of listening to numerous CDs from a huge array of artists, and groups, and every so often one pops along and just blows our minds away. These tracks featured here are from one of those CDs that has made a lasting impression on us. Songs we are unlikely to forget, which on first listen seem totally fresh but strangely familiar.

The Rubens` music style, has been branded as somewhere between pop and rock by most that have heard them, but all reviews we have read also point out that there is so much going on, that is seems almost unfair to even mention either pop or rock when you are tying to describe their sound.

They have a very emotional aspect to their songs, backed up by a fearless use of a variety of instruments, and influences, and this 5 track CD, the Esmerelda EP, is a great advert for their upcoming debut long player.

The EP is littered with influences ranging from west coast warmth, to pure Irish rock, from folk music to the traditional (not fabricated!) pop song. They have managed to bring strings, brass, contemporary guitar, breath-taking female vocals (to back up Danny), meaningful lyrics, and even electronica tasters into the fray on this CD that is sure to touch many hearts, souls and minds. This is not the pop music that we have gotten used to over the past 10 years or so, this is the original pop music, where the pop means popular, and not because every 10 year old in the country is buying the CD, but because it is all encompassing, and will give many people memories to associate with it, no matter what age they are. This is The Rubens` strength. They can reach out to many, and on the evidence of this beautiful CD, they will.

"And We Danced", was the one that reached out, grabbed us, and took us in straight away. It has a massive hint of the legendary Irish rock group, The Stunning, and is sure to make its way across the Irish airwaves in a big way over the coming months.

"In the Night-time" is a beautiful male/female duet that captures your heart, with an intensity that should always be part of great music. This one was, strangely or not, the most popular choice of the QUEEP female posse.

"California Skies" is a single quality, instantly hummable, radio friendly, slow number, that instantly makes you warm, and wonder about the beauty of the Californian Skies!!! “

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MUSICIAN.IE ( IRELAND )

“…Influenced by everything from Air and Groove Armada to Sesame Street to Tom Waits to The Pixies, The Rubens` sunny Americana brings you thousands of miles away from DIY Studios (their garage) in County Longford!”

Excerpt:

“…A self-professed alternative acoustic (un-manufactured) pop band, The Rubens' sound brings to mind many different types of music only to whisk them away again before you can name them. Achieving a unique sound is not an easy accomplishment, nor is appealing to several different generations at once, but The Rubens appear to have pulled it off effortlessly.

Their most recent release, Esmerelda, highlights their ability to add just enough texture and richness to the music without overdoing it.

"And We Danced": The use of strings and trumpet adds depth and feeling but are not over used. The mostly nonsensical chorus is catchy and fun, I found myself humming it several hours later.

"Cheeky Monkey": A playful song with shades of David Bowie. a synth adds a touch of the 70s to the track. There are many lush layers of vocals, instruments and effects, yet again, the lads have not gone overboard and have hit the mark nicely.

I was pleasantly surprised by the duet with Judy McGrath called "In The Night Time". A slow love song, the blend of Judy's sweet high notes and the slight roughness of the male vocals complement each other like yin and yang.

"California Skies" is a song that laps up to your aural shores like a calm evening tide. They have captured the feeling you get on a sun holiday looking out to sea, relaxed, warm and peaceful. They've even added a sample of trickling water at the end of the track to complete the imagery and it ends the EP on a very natural note…”

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CD REVIEWS ( USA )

“…If you're in the mood for something upbeat but don't feel like listening to R.E.M`s "Shiny Happy People", I invite you to check out The Rubens` Esmerelda.

Esmerelda is able to create moods from the gleefully excited to the moody and melancholy, and not that many modern pop records can achieve that.

"California Skies" could easily be played on Top 20 Radio, think Goo Goo Dolls. "In the Night-time" is the more melancholy one of the bunch, one that is longing for someone to come, pleading for someone's love. Definitely a favourite on Esmerelda…”

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SPLENDID ( USA )

“…Musically, The Rubens take their bubblegum pop into the same experimental territory favoured by Gomez and The Beta Band. Heavily acoustic, with solid instrumentation, their songs are warm and mellow and their debut EP Esmerelda would fit easily into the rotation at your local light rock radio station…”

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LEFT OFF THE DIAL ( USA )

“…Cheeky Munky is a fine tune and probably the best vehicle for brother Danny's vocals.  Listen to the guitar lines on this one – perfectly complimentary.  They add a whole new dimension to the song.  The horns are a nice touch, too…”

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EYEBALL KID ( UK )

“…If you're looking for the Irish Maroon 5 then look no further than The Rubens. Actually they're better than that. A neat funk breakdown and fine horn playing saves ‘And We Danced' from being cheesy MOR rock and Judy McGrath's voice adds a different slant on the country-tinged ‘In the Night Time'. But this EP is a little too syrupy for my cold heart! ”

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WEXFORD SONG CLUB ( IRELAND )

 "… Last Tuesday we were entertained by The Rubens, a band based around brothers Jed and Danny Belton from Longford, a highly entertaining energetic show with Beatlesque harmonies and songs about old themes but with new original lyrical takes. The lads really got the crowd going and must be one of the most popularly received acts so far…”

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