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If you're so inclined, it's easy to play spot-the-influence with the Rapture, one of the best of New York City's neo-punk-funk crop. One track suggests Robert Smith fronting the Pop Group, another evokes a collision between A Certain Ratio and New Order, etc. But that approach would entail missing the forest for the trees. Like millions of bands before them, the Rapture leaves a trail of its musical inspirations, but this isn't 1981, and ECHOES is very much of its own time.
The band started out as a more abrasive, jagged, Wire/Fall-like outfit without much of a groove, but starting with their world-beating single "House of Jealous Lovers," they began turning toward a danceable, atmospheric sound (with the help of the DFA production crew). Accordingly, ECHOES is a smorgasbord of funky, elastic basslines, percolating synthesizers, and angular guitar riffs, all artfully arranged for maximum bite. Atop it all, Luke Jenner's angst-ridden yelp insures that no matter how self-assured the framework, an aura of emotional upheaval will always skew the Rapture's balance toward the unpredictable.
Owing much to Gang Of Four, The Cure, David Bowie and P.I.L., The Rapture are one retro band that even a jaded postpunker can learn to love. Here is the stuff with which so many have waited for so long to hear. Though they clearly do live sampling (could they be any more blatant than the drum beat on "Open Up Your Heart"?), it's easy to forgive here because there is so much meat on these bones and it is served well done. Give it a listen, you won't regret it!
Recorded at Plantain Recording House, New York, New York.
The Rapture: Luke Jenner (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Mattie Safer (vocals, keyboards, bass, percussion); Gabriel Andruzzi (saxophone, percussion); Vito Roccoforte (drums, percussion).
Rolling Stone (10/30/03, p.88) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The Rapture go for lean, jagged beats, all forward momentum and nervous aggression. Their long-awaited ECHOES is the big payback, fusing mean guitars and disco trance for a ferocious new breed of punk funk..." Q (01/01/04, p.79) - Ranked #27 in Q's "The 50 Best Albums of 2003" Q (10/03, p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...It's a party worth attending....Singer Luke Jenner remains a bracing presence..." Uncut (01/04, pp.84-7) - Ranked #50 in Uncut's "Albums Of The Year 2003" - "This album drifts seamlessly from track to track..."
The Cure? No Way! After the other enthusiastic reviews I read concerning this band and this album I was very disappointed. A few songs obviously "mimic" the sound and style of The Cure, in a rather "cover band-like" way. Other cuts sound nothing like The Cure. I liked two cuts reasonably well. I'm always looking for new bands to like. I wanted to like this band but it didn't happen for me. Submitted by Doug (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent Retro Sound! The first two songs definitely sound very Cure-esque and there are other influences that can be noted throughout the album, but so what? I like the Cure. All in all this is just a great collection of songs. Submitted by Eve (Chicago) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Nostalgia enriched The other reviewers may have been a little harsh. So what if you can hear a bands influences in their music? What band is out now that hasn't done the same thing? In the music industry, everything has already been done to death. There's nothing wrong with citing your influences if it's done tastefully, and I think The Rapture has done so. Before I heard the actual cd, I purchased the dvd "Is Live and Well...In NY" on a whim. The performance will definitely suck you in and make you wish you were there in the front row. Worth checking out, especially "House Of Jealous Lovers" and "Sister Saviour". Just see how infectious it is... Submitted by Jay (Orlando, FL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This is one for the trip! This is the perfect cd for those party nights with the top down in the car. The vocals are f*ckin amazing! Submitted by ivegotsoul_andimsuperbad (Arizona) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Over-rated These guys have some good ideas. And sure, some rather cool vocals that recall Robert Smith. But, at the core, this is an over-rated CD. There are a few catchy hooks here or there (ie "Olio"), but the rest is just aimless musical wanderings. And, we're not even talking about the sort of musical wanderings you see in bands like Godspeed You Black Emperor or The Dears. A highly mediocre effort. Good ideas...they just need to be developed into real songs. If you're looking for the neo-dance-rock hybrid the Rapture have attempted to champion, go listen to The Killers, Franz Ferdinand or Interpol. Or, just dig up your old Cure albums and listen to the real thing. Submitted by Jason (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Cure? No Way!
This is one for the trip!
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