Album Review

Reuben – We Should Have Gone To University

• 3rd Sep 2009

I first came across Reuben at the Camden Barfly back in 2003, it was my first trip to that beloved toilet and possibly the best show I’ve ever seen there in spite of only knowing a couple of the songs, the performance felt explosive and vital. The Camberley trio certainly deserved more than they got in a career that ended last year to the dismay of their devoted fanbase, who’d pack out small venues and somehow know all the words to every song, even the obscurities and b-sides that invariably figured on the setlists prior to the release of their debut album. This posthumous collection of just such songs is a fitting obituary for the band and with its exhaustive 47 tracks, looks pretty good value for completist fans.

The first five tracks on disc one are effectively the seminal indie-label “Pilot EP” and initiate the distinctively stark post-hardcore sound, all crashing riffs and quiet/loud dynamics, frontman Jamie Lenman’s deft ear for melody being on display throughout, punctuated by angsty scream/shouting. Early singles like “Stux” and “Let’s Stop Hanging Out” are good reminders of the glory days, incendiary riffed-up mini-anthems all, but the lesser tracks hold their own too, revealing a real strength in depth. The second disc features some of sessions with BBC and XFM, the former including an ostensibly throwaway interpretation of Gorillaz’ “Feel Good Inc.” that’s surprisingly listenable. There’s not much on either CD that doesn’t sound worthy of making the first team, making for a very worthwhile release and a poignant farewell to the underground favourites.