So The Rakes have finally released the long awaited follow up to Capture/Release. Unlike the gritty, post punk, post Joy Divison feel of their debut this is a more polished, more mature feeling/sounding album which will cuase mixed reactions among the listening public. It has lost alot of the rawness of Capture/Release but it does seem to show a natural progression in themes and ability which the band themselves will also have gone through since they first emerged in 2005. To use some of the imagery used by the band they have moved from grotty 22 grand jobs and run down one bed flats to the more affluent areas of the East end that only a 28 grand job at least can buy.
But enough of the allergory and poor rip off of a borrowed theme....the songs are good. They have an edgyness and awareness that alot of bands these days lack. Musically they show a greater wealth of influence and reference from hints of Franz Ferdinand to the Strokes to, ofcourse, Joy Division and garage punk without loosing any of that slightly arty, semi-intellectual paranoia we have all come to expect. The music is tight, aggressive and edgy, much like the vocals of Alan Donohoe. Lyrically they maintain their ability to translate the worries of a generation into meaningful song lyrics, referencing all the new world and home grown worries our generation has had to face since Capture/Release: everything from global and home grown terrorism to drunken nights out when we should all be behaving ourselves and, horror of all horrors...mobiles NOT WORKING AS THEY OUGHT TO!.
Seriously though it is the always sneering and slightly paranoid social observation of The Rakes that set them apart from many other bands who claim to be the kings of indie music. Each song on this album is an altogether genuine interpretation of the realities social interaction and hypocrisy. There are not many other bands who can, through the medium of indie music pull together a more vivid or accurate picture of life in 2007 Britain (more specifically London).
The music, lyrics and themes of Ten New Messages work in almost perfect harmony to generate a well orchestrated and natural progression to Capture/Release which should earn the band some well deserved praise. Although some will think they have either betrayed or abandoned their roots to produce a more polished, radio friends, mass market album. However if you spend the time to really listen and absorb this album you will find alot more than this: An album of classic 'tell it like it to live in Britain as a 20 something today' snap shots brought to life by powerful and thoughtful story telling.
Highlights:
The world Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect.
Trouble.
When Tom Cruise Cries
Suspicious Eyes.
