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

Description :

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Peter Hayes, Robert Turner (vocals, guitar, bass); Nick Jago (drums, percussion). <p>Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Peter Hayes, Robert Turner (vocals, guitar, bass); Nick Jago (drums, percussion). <p>On their second album, the perpetually dark-clad Black Rebel Motorcycle Club offers another set of feedback-drenched songs. Though the band still wears its Jesus & Mary Chain influence on its leather sleeves, TAKE THEM ON, ON YOUR OWN reveals a refined sound that hints at other musical forebears. The opening track, "Stop," rocks like a latter-day Oasis tune, while "We're All in Love" is carried along by a slinky Stones-like riff. Although wide-screen, Ride-inspired epics are no longer the order of the day for the brooding lads of BRMC, their renewed focus is evident on TAKE's furiously concise anthems. Just to mix things up a bit, the Rebels add a vaguely political tone to a number of tracks and even bust out the acoustic guitars on "And I'm Aching." In a pleasant surprise, the trio saves some of its finest songs, such as "Suddenly" and "Rise or Fall," for the end, rounding out their solid sophomore outing. <p>On their second album, the perpetually dark-clad Black Rebel Motorcycle Club offers another set of feedback-drenched songs. Though the band still wears its Jesus & Mary Chain influence on its leather sleeves, TAKE THEM ON, ON YOUR OWN reveals a refined sound that hints at other musical forebears. The opening track, "Stop," rocks like a latter-day Oasis tune, while "We're All in Love" is carried along by a slinky Stones-like riff. Although wide-screen, Ride-inspired epics are no longer the order of the day for the brooding lads of BRMC, their renewed focus is evident on TAKE's furiously concise anthems. Just to mix things up a bit, the Rebels add a vaguely political tone to a number of tracks and even bust out the acoustic guitars on "And I'm Aching." In a pleasant surprise, the trio saves some of its finest songs, such as "Suddenly" and "Rise or Fall," for the end, rounding out their solid sophomore outing.

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?

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.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club returns 2 years after their dark debut album that made them indie-superstars in the UK (but not the US). "Take Them On, On Your Own" is better than the debut album, by far.

The tone is set with opener (and first single) "Stop", which reminds me of the brash early-Oasis sound, just great. The first 6 songs of the album are sequenced just perfectly. "We're All In Love" has a great wall-of-sound, as does "In Like the Rose". "Ha Ha High Babe", with its threathening bass and intricate drums, is another highlight. The second half of the album is not as strong, altough "Shade of Blue" (one of the few slower songs on the album) and "Rise and Fall" are other standouts.

It will be interesting to see whether this album will get BRMC the recognition in the US that it deserves but has eluded so far. Altough a bit overlong (55 min.), this is a great album, and one of the nicer surprises of 2003.