Echoes

by

The Rapture

Edit

Alright, hype machine...you terrible thing.

Let's get the "influences" thing over with. Yes, like everyone says, they sound a lot like The Gang of Four, and many of those post-punkers from the late 70s and early 80s. But don't let that get ya down! These boys have a great sound!

"Sister Saviour" sounds like a modern version of The Police, with danceable jangly Jamaican guitars and a kicking bass. And the pace and echo guitars resemble "Run" by Pink Floyd. Definitely one of the album's strongest songs.

There is of course "House of Jealous Lovers" which either makes or breaks a fan. Some can't get into the repetition and high pitched squeal, but damn me if I'm wrong, the song WILL make you wanna hit the nearest dance floor and shake your ass.

Every song reminds me of The Stone Roses, but with a much darker aura and without the psychadelic nonsense.

There are even slow ballads to allow you to catch your breath. "Open Up Your Heart" is a good example. The vocals wisp here and there, wavering sharp and flat from emotions. Some may not like that style of shaky vocal chords, but I think it is quite refreshing. This band puts their all into their music, as if you were hearing it live.

Not to sound pretentious, but The Rapture isn't for everyone. There is quite a bit of shrilly falsetto that would even make Brian Ferry blush. Many people can't stomach a band like Mars Volta simply for the glass-shattering vocals, so if a voice like Elliott Smith (R.I.P.) is your cup o' tea, then perhaps The Rapture is not your band.

However, if you're one of those music freaks that never got asked to dance at the local suaree, then The Rapture is your calling. Guitars echo in and out of consciousness as if in a dream, and the ever-present pulsating rhythm, fronted mainly by the amazing bass licks, makes you wanna get freaky.

Finally, to emphasize, don't let similarities to past influences get ya down. Did anyone knock The New York Dolls for copying the swagger of the Stones? Certainly not. Did anyone smirk at the Stones for copying Muddy Waters? Was Lou Reed patronized for sounding like Bob Dylan? I would hope not. The point is, influences are everywhere in modern music. There is a taste of the past in absolutely every band out there, no doubt. The Rapture took their influences, and made a modern go of it, and they succeeded! This album will get you in the groove, and you will certainly dance a dangerous dance.

Cheers.