We live in a world where everyone is striving to find the "next big thing". Well in a way, The Victorian English Gentlemens Club will never be the next big thing . They're a little too arty, they're a little too loud and they're a little too, well, weird. But if the likes of Jo Whiley or Zane Lowe really had a clue about "discovering" and promoting new music, this is the kind of thing they would champion.
Just for the name alone they're worth a listen, but there is so much more to love about them than that. This is a record jam packed with spiky riffs, memorable chorus' and its all rather thrilling.
Within one listen, the likes of My Son Spells Backwards will be lodged in your brain reminscent of any of Franz Ferdinand's catchier moments but with a harder edge. In fact the first ten minutes or so of the album show more invention spark and wit than most albums manage in total.
There is also the male/female vocal tricks (with the women seemingly interjecting simply when they feel like it) which I so love, but rarely ever is used by anyone these days (the likes of The Von Blondies aside). Its funny, witty and whilst "eccentric" would also be a good description the tunes are never lost.
Granted, it doesn't always work, but when it does, well when it does it's impossible to resist. All at once playful but sinister, fun but dark, this eponymous album. If only the rest of it was a thrilling as the first three tracks we'd have a classic on our hands but the rest only sees a slight downturn in quality so it's still as near as damn it a classic. As it stands there is still much to admire and enjoy. For the lazy there's so many points of reference (Gang Of Four, The B-52's, Devo, The Breeders) but don't let that detract from the fact that they've quickly established their own unique identity and sound.
This is quite probably the best album this year that no-one will ever hear. But you'd have to ask the afforementioned Whiley & Lowe about that.
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