The brooding Los Angeles-based Black Rebel Motorcycle Club belies its roots in sunny California with a dark, edgy sound that is indebted to 1980s/early-'90s British shoegazer bands, particularly the architects of the sound, Jesus & Mary Chain. While many bands take at least a few albums to work up to their full sonic range, the BRMC presents a dense, wide-screen set of songs on its assured 2001 debut. (In fact, the group would spend subsequent releases scaling back the formidable aesthetic on offer here.)
"Love Burns" opens the record and establishes the BRMC template with slowly building intensity, as jangly guitar lines shift into thick layers of distortion and the coolly detached vocals of Peter Hayes and Robert Turner (who alternate playing guitar and bass) evoke scenes of disillusionment and damaged love. While many of BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB's tunes are effective mid-tempo tracks (particularly "Awake," which unleashes majestic, Ride-like squalls of feedback), "Whatever Happened to My Rock 'N' Roll (Punk Song)" is a blistering, revved-up number that recalls the fervor of the Stooges. Regardless of influences, the BRMC warrants attention by the sheer force of its music, making this an album for those who like their rock bold, brash, and unapologetically loud.
Personnel: Peter Hayes (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards); Robert Turner (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Nick Jago (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixers: Peter Hayes; Robert Turner; Masaki; Michael Patterson .
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Peter Hayes (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, bass); Robert Turner (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass); Nick Jago (drums, percussion).
Engineers include: Peter Hayes, Robert Turner, David Shiffman.
Rolling Stone (4/26/01, p.67) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A mix of woozy, sinister psychedelia. BRMC steer clear of becoming a total knockoff act by filling out their sound with blues-rock romps and spacey elements....in other words, a sonic Snickers bar..." Q (12/02, p.65) - Included in Q Magazine's "The 50 Best Albums of 2002." Q (1/02, p.103) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...Young men from San Fransisco in thrall to mid '80s British FX pedal rock....granite thwacks of drums...sustains for an hour of fuzz bass eruptions [and] wild tremolo panning..." Alternative Press (6/01, p.68) - 4 out of 5 - "...The latest testament to the undeniable energy and power of rock....channelling the garage-rock ghost of the Stooges..." Magnet (12-1/02, p.56) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001". Magnet (6-7/01, p.80) - "...There's definitely something happening here..." CMJ (4/9/01, p.4) - "...A collection of charismatic songs that explore the classic themes of lost love, the demise of rock...and the second coming..." Mojo (Publisher) (2/02, p.92) - "...Boasting vogue MC5 and Stooges influences and possessed of Strokesesque cool...Believe the hype." NME (Magazine) (1/19/02, p.27) - 8 out of 10 - "...BRMC are the rightful heirs of the Enigmatic And Vaguely Dangerous Looking Men In Black crown...all of their incredible songs shimmer and vibrate with the riotous majesty of PSYCHOCANDY..." Record Collector (magazine) (p.82) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Their eponymous 2001 debut was an intensely melancholic journey through psychedelic indie rock..."
Dont do that They wish to be Jesus & mary chain...
But they'll never reach them...
Try something else like ceasars.... Submitted by groban53200 (Greece) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
IF YOU ARE IN ROCK... If you are in rock, you should get this record. It remembers me a lot of Led Zeppellin and Lou Reed, a little of Beatle influence (who hasn't). Submitted by a reviewer (mexico city) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
Nothing short of a great time here This record never ceases to amaze me. 1235789 are the tracks that I borrowed that seem to have a beat they move onto Take Them On, On Your Own would make a statement to be proud of. Make no mistakes. This ain't no understatement. Yea ...! Submitted by orangegreendesolate (Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
i love british rock i hope this starts a huge revivial of 70s rock, which would i would be very greatful for as i listen to a lot of it as i was born in 87. the album should remind everyone of the great music there was when no one had heard of dance or hip-hop. rifles is the standout track on this album but even without it, it would still be a great release. its albums like this that i wish i lived in the 70s, and that the no other kind of music was ever made. Submitted by luke (perth, western australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
ROCK AND ROLL!! If you like indie rock like the Charlatans then this is a must buy. It's probably the best CD I've bought in a long time. Submitted by a reviewer (galsgow, scotland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Dont do that
IF YOU ARE IN ROCK...
Nothing short of a great time here
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