Gentlemen Rogues

Reviews

The Drolls / Gentlemen Rogues split EP

Indie/power pop split out on an attractive Snappy Little Numbers 7” disc. A-side is Seattle’s DROLLS with an upbeat pair of tunes in the Epitaph realm of good-time indie—BOUNCING SOULS come to mind on the first track “Burned Out,” while “Happy Hour” has a MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES arrangement (sans gravelly bravado and horns). The B-side comes from GENTLEMEN ROGUES out of Austin, Texas, who push further into the indie realm, even having the saccharine vocals more associated with 2000s emo in the sense that it’s a little whiny, but not exactly sad or melancholic. This music has a place, and I think is gaining popularity with nostalgia-seekers who were teens during the height of this craze—while I fall neatly in this age group, it is admittedly not my bag. If, however, it is yours, please enjoy this sugary little 7”!

Gentlemen Rogues A History of Fatalism LP

Catchy, mid-tempo power pop with a definite indie pop feel. There’s even a hint of country/Americana in there. They cover MORRISSEY’S “The Last of the Famous International Playboys.” That’s gutsy, but they do pull it off. This is really well done and if you like bands like the ALL AMERICAN REJECTS, this could be up your alley. I’m guessing it isn’t punk enough for most MRR-ers. I’m totally digging it.

Gentlemen Rogues Francy / I’ve Got a Match 7″

The latest single from GENTLEMEN ROGUES picks right back up from where their last 7” left off. Great, catchy, sugary sweet power pop that wouldn’t be out of place next to your SUPERDRAG and BOB MOULD/SUGAR records. Highly recommended to anyone who digs the aforementioned bands, or cruising with the windows down on a late spring day. Fingers crossed that there’s a full-length in the works.

Gentlemen Rogues Do the Resurrection! / Bloody Rudderless (In Ursa Major) 7″

The A-side sounds like dad-rocky pop punk. Mid-tempo, kind of bouncy, pretty restrained, and a chorus that sounds just like GREEN DAY or the INFLUENTS. It’s pretty catchy but also unimaginative. The B-side is a slightly more punky cover of the LEMONHEADS’ “Rudderless” with an instrumental outro tacked on to the end.