I’ve had the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club release for only a few weeks and let me tell you, all the hype surrounding them is more than true. BRMC are about to save rock and I’ve got the record full of eleven tracks that prove it.
There is something unexplainable about the sort of magic these guys work. Their Brit rock boldness and relentless American rock roots make for a stunning combination. If you don’t believe me, then just give “Whatever Happened To My Rock ‘N’ Roll” twenty seconds or so to completely rearrange your idea of what rock should or shouldn’t be. I do want to prepare you, however, to be completely turned on your ass.
Stunned time and again, I can’t help but to be impressed still by what I’m hearing. “Love Burns” is something I’ve waited years for. It’s just a terror of rock that eats at every inch of my skin. “Red Eyes And Tears” is chaotic and blessed. It breathes the sort of fire Led Zeppelin had back when they were still dark and mysterious.
BRMC are gunning for the top and “Rifles” is the weapon of choice. “I see the rifles coming over the hill/ maybe if you shout maybe they stop and won’t kill” might not be the most poignant lyrics in the world, but here they sound pretty damn potent. And just in case you haven’t had enough, they drop the fattest bassline heard in years to announce “Spread Your Love”. This is rock in all its glory.
Even through the tremolo that never ceases to find a cause, BRMC make use of their own devices as much as they do to turn on the distortion pedals. “Head Up High” takes the slow road and I’ve got to admit I’m hooked. “Awake” finds the same toned down approach, but don’t even think they are any less brilliant. And just to prove their potency and ability to string them down, they share “As Sure As The Sun”.
On its own, “Salvation” could be enough to make these guys kings. It does sound remarkably like Enigma’s “Return To Innocence” but that is of no consequence as you are taken in and allowed to disappear. As the world floats away, you disregard everything below.
BRMC have released the kind of album that makes a kid want to pick up a guitar. It also makes all us wannabe rock stars to shake the dust off our gig bags and give the old six string one more chance. BRMC is the band everyone dreams they’ll be in when they start up a group with their friends, only to fail and fall back on their job at the factory. I’m not even sure there won’t be bands out there today who give up what they are doing just because in their hearts they know it’s not possible for them to ever live up to or to join the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
+ charlie craine
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.