The Rakes- Klang

After the whining from my last blog about a lack of albums been released that I want to hear, he's a somewhat positive about an album thats been released that I wanted to hear. That album being The Rakes' 'Klang'.

It's been two years since Ten New Messages (their sadly under rated second album) and The Rakes have returned with an album which is more intense and downright more fun than the last album. No it's still not as good as debut Capture/Release, but then few bands can make an album as brilliant as that and carry on the momentum into every album afterwards. What Klang is though, is an album that shows a band still having fun regardless of what the critics think.

'That's The Reason' is an obvious track to look at for this. It's got the classic Rakes attributes to it, groovy bass lines and jagged guitars, along with Alan Donohue's stream of thought esque lyrics. It's nothing new from them, but it's still absolutely ace in every single way. 'You're In It' is the opener and a lot darker than most Rakes songs, opening as it does with the line 'Sometimes you can't smell the shit 'til you're in it'. It's still an insanely catchy song though.

It highights a werid thing about some of the songs on Klang. Some of the songs are darker than usual, yet still make you want to smile and then dance like a loon, 'The Woes Of The Working Woman' is another example of this, with its panicked piano line. For the most part though, The album is very energetic and see's The Rakes in their usual semi-happy, semi-derranged mood.

'1989' is one of The Rakes' best singles yet, being in the '22 Grand Job' class of being able to get people to sing along and is just perfectly formed with tempo changes and instruments dropping in and out. 'The Light From Your Mac' is a bit ace too, it's more relaxed but the on/off bass is utterly brilliant.

There are of course some tracks which fall a bit short. 'Bitchin' In The Kitchin'' doesn't live up to its brilliant title, and 'Shakleton' is instantly forgettable. these deviances do little to deter from the fact Klang is another great album from The Rakes. They probably won't make an album as brilliant as Capture/Release again, but as long as they keep making albums which are still fun and entertaining like Klang, then The Rakes will survive another day. And keep me extremely entertained too.

8/10