The Chapman Family - Virgins

Previous singles by The Chapman Family have made this writer want to use the phrase “Futureheads gone reggae” so it’s a good job that a) this single marks a departure from songs such as ‘Kids’ and ‘Sound of the Radio’, b) that this marks the first time that this writer has reviewed one of their songs. Don’t get us wrong, said phrase gives a moderate impression of the sound of the band’s previous efforts, it’s just not that accurate.

On ‘Virgins’ however smooth brooding verses give way to explosive yelps of “I don’t think I like what you’ve become” for the first two minutes, before the whole thing takes off for an epic guitar thrashing over a steady pounding beat. There’s a gloomy aspect to the sound, but it’s more a song born out of weathering a harsh winter than it is Joy Division-aping. Coupled with the Teeside accent this storming guitar attack gives a distinctive feel to The Chapman Family, and one that’s more than welcome.

As a side note; worth just as much time and money is ‘Virgins’s B-side, the misleadingly titled ‘Good Times’. If ‘Virgins’ gave the impression of gloom then ‘Good Times’ is it’s aural embodiment. Full of a gothic Victorian grandeur, right down to frontman Kingsley’s croon, this manages to sound both sparse and complete, whilst being hauntingly beautiful. The guitars are held down in the mix under a stately piano. Not entirely dissimilar to iLiKETRAiNS it’s one of the best b-sides we’ve heard all year.

But back to the main attraction; ‘Virgins’, like we said, is a new direction for the group and shows them to be one of the most promising new guitar bands to have emerged from the UK in quite a while. Certainly worth shelling out a few quid for.