The Virgins
The world is full of beautiful people. Some actually manage to make a go of it in the entertainment business. When they do, they are often dismissed as shallow and only riding on their looks, since they obviously lack any real talent. So it hardly helps the deep-seeded prejudices when an ex-male model in a band is quoted saying, "I can barely play the guitar but if I'm gonna be in a band and have the opportunity to be signed to Atlantic, I'm gonna figure out a way to pull it off." But that's Donald Cummings.
Cummings life wasn't all poses and flashing bulbs. The native New Yorker dropped out of high school at age 15 eventually stumbling into acting and modeling. He became a favorite subject of photographer Ryan McGinley after they met at a party. Cummings also 'starred' in the short film Bugcrush that won the '06 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.
Still, life can seem a little too fortuitous and convenient for the beautiful types. Frustrated that no one would read his stuff - poetry and general musings - Cummings decided to put his words into songs. He made some demos with guitarist Wade Oates and burned copies for friends. Then they recruited bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman and drummer Erik Ratensperger.
Here's where you have to shake your head. The Virgins third gig was opening for the legendary Patti Smith (at a somewhat appropriate Paris Fashion Week show). That's pretty incredible but there's more. They toured with Jet and opened for Sonic Youth. Reportedly, Atlantic Records signed The Virgins before ever seeing them perform. How often does that happen? Maybe beautiful people do live a charmed life.
The Virgins self titled debut album landed in '08 with songs about "socialites, street urchins, drug binges, and sex romps." "Their lyrics are really poetic and very much about New York and the life that we live," offered McGinley.
With The Strokes on the beach (apparently) and a bit of time since the last Maroon 5 album there was an opening for The Virgins who have much the same appeal and a killer pop sense. Their songs pile hooks on top of hooks which makes their debut appealing, if a bit repetitive, in places. The only song that really fails is the acoustic ballad "Fernando Pando" which is DOA. No big deal.
The Virgins use a sharp, propulsive beat to drive their songs. Zarin-Ackerman rolls in and around Ratensperger's percussion while Oates' guitar work slashes and stings making The Virgins sound like they could have been contemporaries of The Pretenders.
Oddly, if there is a weak spot it's Cummings vocals. He's good but his brooding drawl is too low key and he's the least interesting thing on the album. Fortunately, there's enough muscle and drive to override Cummings' short-comings.