CORPORATE LINE: It seems strange to rely on a second century spiritual proverb to give meaning to the story of a rock ‘n roll band in 2005. But the tale of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club , and the arduous circumstances surrounding the making of its third and finest full length, Howl , requires just such a reference. Translated from the ancient Coptic language, the phrase in question reads:
“If you bring forth what is within you,
what you will bring forth will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is within you,
what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
For Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been, and Nick Jago – the three individuals collectively known as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – those words could easily have served as a bitter epitaph. But instead, they became a kind of rallying cry for the new record. For Howl is the sound of a band reaching deep within its soul in order to save itself; the sound of a band giving up its rock ‘n’ roll meal ticket and finding salvation and sustenance in a rich banquet of folk, country, blues, gospel and pop; the sound of a band finally owning up to itself and its vast limitless potential.
THE GREAT:
“Ain’t No Easy Way” – As bizarre as the song feels coming from BRMC it still impossible not to get absorbed by this country rock song.
“Shuffle Your Feet” – Addictive—too bad it’s all one big chorus.
THE AVERAGE:
“Devil’s Waitin’” – Doing a folk/country style song works for Jack White but not for BRMC.
THE BAD:
“Still Suspicion Holds You Tight” – Yawn.
“Restless Sinner” – Honestly it’s a poor man’s White Stripes—even that sounds like an oxymoron.
FRANKLY: What happened to the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club? Have they become a country/rock band? And since when do most of their songs consist of a chorus and no verses? There are more questions about Howl than answers. If this is the direction BRMC are going let me get off the bandwagon now.
+ Rae Gun
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