If I’m going to be totally honest, I wasn’t holding out too much hope for this band. I bought the album because I was reading the album sleeve and noticed that one of my closest friend’s bands had been mentioned so an overwhelming sense of pride came over me and I parted with £10. I was confused by the artwork on the front cover, I was worried I was in for a night with a hardcore band, especially when I read one of the tracks was called ‘Missing Fingers’. Oh, how wrong I was.

This, my friends, is possibly the greatest album I own. From the opener ‘No One Wins The War’ right through to the beautiful closing track of ‘Dusk’, I was hooked. Reuben not only convey they have a sense of humour (“tourettes is a disease that makes you tell the truth”) they also show that they are can combine clever guitar riffs, beautiful vocals, intelligent drums and inspiring lyrics…all in one album.

The standout track without a doubt is ‘Moving to Blackwater’ which opens with the catchiest riff you’ll ever lay your ears on. The whole song is packed with everything I wish I’d ever written; “It feels like both boats are sinking and I’ve got one foot in each…my heart is held together with string and sellotape” and a chorus which is sung with such heartfelt meaning I just want to run up and hug the stereo every time I hear it. Other standout tracks include “Parties Break Hearts” which always makes me want to dance, “Missing Fingers” which always makes me want to cry (when Jamie sings “so much for that” oh there’s SUCH a lump in my throat), “No One Wins The War” which I always sing along to at the top of my voice. The only song which I’m not a big fan of is “Wrong and Sorry” but to be honest, I even like that, I just wouldn’t call it my favourite.

I’ve also listened to some of Reuben’s early stuff and their B-sides and I’m hooked on that too. I cannot stress how much you need to buy this album and see this band. Another good reason is that they’re good buddies with Hell Is For Heroes, watch out for the band-related lyic in No One Wins The War which will definitely make you chuckle.