The Rakes have mixed together very well positive and negative in an album that not only kneels down and begs for repeated plays, but also provokes a bit of thought.
Label: V2 Released: 19th March 2007 Reviewer:Dale Cox
London's favourite biographers of crap jobs and weekly (or even daily) drinking rituals return - gone are the hopes of jobs in the city and inspiration from the daily grind, in their place is terrorist attacks, male models and Tom Cruise.
Opener 'The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect' is already well known thanks to its role as a Dior soundtrack, but don't let the twisted irony spoil your enjoyment of the brilliant guitar riff - one which will inevitably spin thousands of indie kids in to a weird jittery dance (yes, yes, like Alan's very own - Ed) not long after 'Ten New Messages' enters their CD player.
The record holds a number of themes, one of which is (almost predictably, they're Londoners, after all) terrorism. Both 'When Tom Cruise Cries' and, in particular, 'Suspicious Eyes' reference this - the latter including an appearance from British-Asian rap newcomer Raxstar.
Along with the near-perfect opening, closer 'Leave The City And Come Home' winds up the album well, touching on all the negative points of city life - muggings, drugs, and living with an ex. It's finished by the simple sum-up "plan your escape".
The Rakes have mixed together very well positive and negative in an album that not only kneels down and begs for repeated plays, but also provokes a bit of thought.Rating: 8/10
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