For the past couple of years, there have been a lot of great debut albums by indie bands. Now that may be hard to believe for some, but it’s surprisingly true. Whether it’s a New York new wave band or another alternative indie rock band, the quality is out there, but the key is finding those bands. Back in 2008 I kept hearing about this New York post-punk, new wave, and indie rock band that has a playful, party sound called The Virgins. Sadly, it wasn’t until 2009 when I took advantage of actually checking out their eponymous debut album, The Virgins.
Now I don’t normally admit this, but it’s one of the only times I do regret not buying an album right away. After I immediately purchased the album, I listened to it five times and haven’t looked back since. The Virgins are arguably one of the best bands to emerge in the past five years.
However, due to their cocky, playful lyrics they have been heavily criticized for their music promoting promiscuity and being used in Gossip Girl, 90210 and 17 Again. Luckily, they have also gotten air time on Entourage and an awesome reference in Kevin Smith’s Cop Out as the band Bruce Willis’ daughter, Ava Monroe (Michelle Trachtenberg), wants to play at her wedding. It was the latter reference that made me want to elaborate more on this suave, slick, and sensational band, The Virgins.
Energetic, enigmatic, and entertaining, The Virgins captivate you from beginning to end on their debut album. Living a life full of debauchery, the album is filled with stylized 80s energy dance music. You will have fun listening to this upbeat and uproarious album.
The album starts off with a smack to the face. Reminiscent of “Kick Out the Jams” by the MC5, “She’s Expensive” starts out with profanity to kick off their eponymous debut album. The catchiness continues with one hook right after the other and takes you on a joyride of what lies ahead for the entire album.
With the swagger of The Strokes, this New York quartet just keeps up the pace with their next track, “One Week of Danger.” The song is filled with some sleazy, sexy music that has killer dance beats.
The good times continue with “Rich Girls,” a song filled with insightful advice of hopping into bed with random strangers and dealing with stuck up “girls.” It’s undeniable that their audacious and ambitious lyrics attribute to their fun party songs. Like a Franz Ferdinand song, “Teen Lovers” delivers an irresistible quickly paced catchy song that stays in your mind long after you have stopped listening to it."Fernando Pando" perfectly captures that regrettable one night stand in a stylish sweet sounding song filled with a heavy bass that you can’t help, but laugh and feel his misery at the same time.
Starting off with some remarkable riffs, “Hey Hey Girl” is an easy going, raunchy song that puts an extra swagger in your step and is once again another entertaining song. Cumming’s soothing voice enlightens his listeners and shows a deeper side with “Private Affair.” Nothing is more devastating than finding that special someone who won’t commit because “She has always avoided falling in love.” It’s a great example of how The Virgins music is relatable to the teen demographic and mature listeners at the same time. Everyone can appreciate this band.
Suave singer Donald Cumming at times sounds like Elvis Costello with his wide ranging voice from joking around about meaningless sex to tender heartache, an aspect often lost in today’s music. It’s all fun and games for this lively bunch who have created a fast-moving, appealing album. Killer bass and funky beats enhance each song to create one remarkable album. Other bands to check out include Hockey and The Teenager.
-- Mr. Brownstone
Buy here: The Virgins
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