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5 |
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club |
| Take Them On, On Your Own |
| Virgin | 2003 | Album |
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Got Distortion?
BRMC does on so many levels, the guitars, the vocals, the lyrical content and the image. Black Rebel’s sophomore release is dark and mysterious, yet more of the same. Take them on, On your own comes out with more of the same nebulous angst, but why?
What do these California boys have so much to be angry about? It seems they are not happy with the present “elected” officials. BRMC takes a more political stance with this album writing songs like “US Government” and “Generation”. BRMC have been supporting defeat Bush concerts and selling rock art posters to maintain their cause. While this is a noble venture it seems odd they use the ol’ brit rock blueprint to get the point across. One could argue that it is much better than the pop punk “alternative”.
After much deserved attention from their first release BRMC is having difficulty finding the next metamorphosis. BRMC follows the recipe book of Jesus and Mary Chain with a tablespoon of vinegar. Mesmerizing vocals hold the listener captive yet skeptical. Peter Hayes and Robert Turner crunch riff and rip in skillful harmony but close the audience out right as it gets sucked in. The opening line “We don’t like you/We just want to try you” sums up the bands untouchable persona. Cool, aloof and lots of black leather. Good songs but not great world changing anthems that would be expected on a follow up from BRMC.
“And I’m Aching” gives the set a pause from the distortion creating a window into the bands soul while it is brief it is a welcome change. Robert Turner’s voice is clear, longing and moving. “Suddenly” sounds so hauntingly brit it is difficult to detect that they are a California band.
Take them on, On your own is enjoyable to listen to and is a perfect match for the television motorbike docudrama starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on Bravo. After a long hard year of inter band turmoil including the loss of Nick Jago, the drummer, it is good to hear BRMC getting airplay in such respectable arena. I still recommend the first album very highly. |
| Kimmerly |
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