The Virgins | Strike Gently

Cult Records (2013)

By RYAN REED | March 6, 2013

2.0 Stars

In 2008, the Virgins were the sultans of sleaze: four post-Strokes caricatures masquerading as a band, soundtracking fashion week runways and NYC loft parties with their snot-nosed dance-rock. After a half-decade of semi-obscurity, frontman Donald Cumming is redefining his band as the hipster sultans of swing. Influenced majorly by Dire Straits and other classic-rock vets, the Virgins have dialed down the trademark bubblegum glitz in favor of introspective country-rock, psychedelic balladry, and smoldering guitar sass — with Cumming crooning in an awkwardly deep, Mark Knopfler-esque rumble. The results are hit-or-miss. A sturdy disco pulse on "Prima Materia" (a rare stylistic nod to their debut) is marred by Cumming's half-drunk vocal delivery, until its explosive criss-cross guitar coda. "The Beggar," meanwhile, drifts by in an aimless, haggard haze. Strike Gently only perks up when the Virgins kick it old-school — like on "Flashbacks, Memories, and Dreams," a delectable spread of hectic hi-hats and campy disco bass. Maturity — for Christ's sake — be damned.

» RREED6128@HOTMAIL.COM

THE VIRGINS + HAR MAR SUPERSTAR:: T.T. The Bear's Place, 10 Brookline Ave, Cambridge :: April 4:: 8:30 pm :: 18+ :: $12 :: 617.492.0082 or ttthebears.com

Topics: CD Reviews , Music, review, rock

| More

Most Popular

The Current Issue

Table of Contents

Cover Archive

Masthead | Authors | Contact us

Blogs

Where To Follow Me
Talking Politics | March 24, 2013 at 11:09 AM

Mo Takes His Turn
March 21, 2013 at 12:59 PM

[Q&A] KMFDM's Sascha Konietzko on art, Columbine and having balls
On The Download | March 18, 2013 at 3:22 PM

See this film series: The Belmont World Film Series @ Studio Cinema in Belmont
Outside The Frame | March 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM

See this film: This is Spinal Tap [with post-film talk by expert from Acoustical Society of America] @ the Coolidge
March 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM

ARTICLES BY RYAN REED

WAVVES | AFRAID OF HEIGHTS | March 18, 2013
"I Can't Dream," the closer on Wavves' fourth studio album, opens in a drunken lo-fi stupor — Nathan Williams warbling bratty, tone-deaf nonsense over hissy acoustic power chords.

THE VIRGINS | STRIKE GENTLY | March 06, 2013
After a half-decade of semi-obscurity, frontman Donald Cumming is redefining his band as the hipster sultans of swing.

ATOMS FOR PEACE | AMOK | February 26, 2013
Kid A , Radiohead's confounding electro-rock masterpiece, is officially hitting puberty.

ATLAS GENIUS | WHEN IT WAS NOW | February 20, 2013
Atlas Genius are schooled students of modern pop architecture, seamlessly bouncing from Coldplay-styled acoustic rock to fizzy Phoenix funkiness to deadpanned Strokes-ian guitar chug. But When It Was Now is more like an alt-pop NOW compilation than a joyous synthesis.