Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Album: “Take Them On, On Your Own”

German expressionists often thought that there were no political solutions, only spiritual ones. That is how BRMC present their music often. They just want you to hear the music and keep it to yourself. Their garage punk is for people who have heard of Spiritualized and Primal Scream. It doesn't have the joy and bravado of other rock and roll bands. "Stop" and "Six Barrel Shotgun" sound like tracks from their first album. If it is not broke why fix it? Why is anyone thinking that BRMC is going to do a prog rock album? Other songs like "Generation" and "US Government" deal with the disconnected feel of the times. They are questioning the current slide of young people into cliché, cynicism, and being jaded. They have hope in their music, even though their politics are more personal. This band has the coolest name, but who knows if anyone will discover how good they truly are?

An excellent follow-up to the original. Without a doubt, BRMC is taking them on, on their own terms! The album kicks off with the rocking STOP and takes you through a plethora of BRMC fuzzy guitar tunes. I enjoyed the unique HA HA HIGH BABE. An outstanding collection right through the entire album to include the HEART & SOUL ending.

TAKE THEM ON, ON YOUR OWN, will be a staple in my CD player for some time to come.

Excellent, simply excellent.

Black Rebel Motorcycle has proven that rock can still be played the way it should be in their last album and in this one. Bands like them are rare these days and I'm just glad they are the group that they are. This album is a great follow up to their first. It kicks off with their new single "Stop" which is a totally kickin song. Nice and catchy from the first listen. The whole album is full of great songs like "Six Barrel Shotgun", "US Government" and "Suddenly". This album is similar to their last one in a few ways of sound but it is incredible and I suggest it to anyone who wants a taste of what real rock is like.

Hey, have you heard the news? Excitingly, rock and roll protest is back - all it took was the Bush administration to make it an interesting, nay, vital subject. Last year we had Sleater-Kinney and Steve Earle with daring commentary on the events surrounding September 11th - this year we have LA drone rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club yowling: "I bought my legs from the US government to keep me in line." An interesting new level of standoffishness from a typically languid group, and Take Them On, On Your Own is harder and much more furious than their eponymous debut album. Still, this remains the BRMC that you know and love, as evidenced by lead single "Stop" which shows all their trademarks still in place. "Generation," "Us Government" and "Ha Ha High Babe" all swagger mercilessly, while songs like "Shade of Blue" waft by beautifully. This is a startlingly exciting record, and BRMC have succeeded at the hardest hurdle - they have overcome the sophomore album slump. The future suddenly looks a whole lot brighter.

This being their sophomore effort, BRMC had to have had a lot riding on "Take Them On...". Cutting right to the chase, they surely did not disappoint with this endearing outing. It is filled with much of the same melodramatic poetry and captivating sound that defined them thus far.

The leadoff track and single, "Stop" is not only the best on the cd, it was the track that started it all for me. I quickly immersed myself into the sensuous BRMC world, bought this cd and remain floored since then. Other really great tunes include the roaring "Six Barrel Shotgun", the tranquil "Shade Of Blue", and the epic "Heart + Soul".

Ride on with this cd, you'll be relieved afterwards.