The Rubens are an alternative rock band hailing all the way from Australia. It's not often I get to write about bands from other countries, and if I do, they're from Canada or something. No offense Canada, but you're too close! The Rubens are an interesting band because you can really hear what each member brings to the group setting. They mix together small parts of different genres, but it culminates in a funky electro-rock sound. Well structured pop songs that explore human relationships on a micro level are played up against songs that veer into contemporary R&B sounds without ever leaving the world of rock. Despite this, The Rubens are a pretty relaxing band. The energy of the songs is contained and laid back, even when the arrangements branch out into snapping and multi-layered vocal harmonies, some of which remind me of the psychedelic romping of Dr. Dog. Here in this session they're playing some old songs and some unreleased tracks from their upcoming album. It's always a treat to hear bands playing new stuff; sometimes we get songs that no one else has heard before. I hope the Rubens enjoyed their time in Iowa as much as we enjoyed listening.