REVERSAL. - The Society Of Portly Gentlemen.

2011. Review by Martin Stapleton

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www.myspace.reversal

By their own admission, Lutons Reversal is a diverse Indie band who consist of Harry Saban (vocals, keys), Simon Tyrie (vocals, guitar), Stephen Plummer (guitar) and Sam Tyrell (drums). All in their mid teens, they have put together an exceptionally fine debut E.P. Its called The Society of Portly Gentlemen. Firstly, I have to admit that I do not know this band. Personally, however, I spoke to Simon after their recent Esquires Main Stage gig, where he very kindly passed over a set list. This is where I was introduced to the E.P.

Firstly, and a very important point to make, is the overall artwork and design of the C.D. It even contains some quotes to accompany each song. One is by Charles Bukowski which says: Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead! My copy was number eleven and at 2, I consider it good value for money. A kaleidoscopic array of sounds are on offer. They say that variety is the spice of life and Reversal bring it in abundance.

Instantly I am both hooked and amused by the hilarious intro to Portly Gentlemen. One by one we are introduced to Crispin Robert-Crispin, Roderick Benjamin Jr, Just Quentin and my favourite of all Chumley Waddington. There are some others who form part of The Society. This reminds me of something that dear old Vivian Stanshall and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band would have concocted back in the psychedelic sixties. After all the guffaws, we are drawn into the musical side of the song, complete with the emphatic shouts of Oi, oi, oi, oi by everyone. This is followed by City Life. The message is clear and simple on this, it may Get you down but you know you will get up again. Such is Life in the City.

A change of pace occurs with the punkier sound of Rusty City Martyr as the keyboard sounds kick into devastating effect.

What can one possibly say about track 3. Its called Bhindie, a musical menagerie of Eastern and Western cultural sounds as Bhangra meets Indie. This instrumental really fires up the dancing shoes - a true mystic marvel.

With a gentle guitar opening it serves as a prelude to the somewhat spaced-out headspinner that is ironically entitled All In My Head. A calm finally descends on the outro. The lyrically strong Lonely Man of Nowhere is interspersed with outbursts of anger and loudness.

To close, Reversal bring us Rio Di Janeiro, a pleasant acoustic tune that ends with the appropriate words: I Feel Fine. It appears that this is the conclusion of the C.D., however,this song carries on in silence for about six minutes until a hidden track appears, complete with weird sound effects, organ music and copious drunken ramblings as we rejoin The Society of Portly Gentlemen. The track finally expires after some 11 minutes.

For a young band this E.P. has been brave, adventurous and a breath of fresh air on a some-times predictable local music scene. A VERY ENJOYABLE LISTEN!


Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk