ALBUM REVIEW: The Victorian English Gentleman’s Club - "The Victorian English Gentleman’s Club"

First published: 2006-07-11

With a name like theirs, it’s obvious that The Victorian English Gentleman’s Club follow in the grand tradition of quaint British rock eccentrics (see also: The Kinks’ "Village Green Preservation Society"). What isn’t obvious, however, is that they’re actually from Wales. Misleading monikers aside, the two-girls-and-a-guy three piece are from the same mould as fellow weirdoes British Sea Power at their noisiest. Highlights like former single Amateur Man show that the band, unlike many of their car-crash new-wave contemporaries, haven’t forgotten to put some melodies in amongst the angular trebliness. With bass riffs and female backing-yelps leading the way, it’s nearer to the scratchy art-pop of the Pixies than the ubiquitous Gang of Four sound. Even so, after this debut album’s half-hour of sub-three minute shout-alongs, it’s clear that originality and innovation aren’t membership requirements of the Club, but who cares? With tunes like this, we’ll all want to join anyway.