Rebus - ‘This City’ (Josaka) - Released 14/05/07

Since Rebus released ‘The Red EP’ 12 months ago they have been busy writing, recording and building a live following. New single ‘This City’ is a catchy ode to Reading with a slightly unsettling guitar riff and a tone that doesn’t invite you to visit the city in question. Second to a career promoting Reading as a tourist spot (‘This City’ ends with the refrain “Burn this city”), Rebus have perfected their live skills and are producing quality songs that should promote them to the big leagues.

Second track ‘Signals’ lacks the air of tension in ‘This City’ but has replaced it with really catchy hooks and chorus. This competent indie ditty is just as worthy of being a single in its own right and Rebus have proved they have the commercial sound warranting Radio 1 airplay. Eighties covers get a double thumbs up from this Gigwise reviewer so the last track, a cover of Duran Duran’s ‘Girls on Film’, puts the cherry, flake and whipped cream on top of this tasty indie sundae.