Get ready, cos The Rakes are back! Err… Yay?
Well, if they'd managed to construct a single with a pulse other than the dull-as-Dagenham monotony they've given us in 'We Danced Together', then it might have been cause for celebration. You know the kind of pulse I mean… what's it called… oh yeah, human. What happened to the vaguely interesting political references and funny dancing of their last record? It wasn't all that great, but it was more tolerable than this, wasn't it? You could hear the blood swimming through the veins with a little more zip; you could imagine that their songs were invested with a smidge of wit and guile. Not any more, it would seem.
Maybe that’s a little harsh. Maybe if this was on in a club and you were pissed within an inch of eating your wallet and on the verge of hilariously assaulting anyone with the nerve to be less intoxicated than yourself it might be fun. At least you wouldn't be able to hear the inane lyrics. "We didn't give a shit about what they would say" (though it's in reference to all the silly dancing, such broadly confrontational phrases extend to all who are listening) is a lovely excuse for all those bands that know deep down how dull they are. And if The Rakes don't give a shit about what I would say, then allow me to say this: 'We Danced Together' is derivative, flaccid, un-involving, and actually rather juvenile.
its mother album
is duller still. But strangely I find this song pleasant. Nothing stronger than that though. Which is damning in itself I guess.
.
The cover of that reminds me of that youthmovies thing you got in the ep. Just me?
nah
it is similar, almost the same innit
I disagree
The mother album is rather good. And certainly can't be accused of being without wit and guile.
When Tom Cruise Cries?
hmm. I should give it a few more listens, maybe it'll do a 'Our Earthly Pleasures' and turn out to be an understated joy rather than a first-listen blandathon. You've earned The Rakes a brief reprieve...
I think I'm the only person who doesn't 'get' The Rakes
I quite liked the last album, but it certainly didn't seem 'clever' or anything particularly out of the ordinary. It was just another indie album, just slightly better than some peers.
This is largely the same. There's nothing radical or extra-special in anything The Rakes have done.
you're not the only one
yet another 'quite good indie band, i guess' for the list. a year or so ago they were being lauded from the tops of buildings as a really exciting band, now i'm yet to read a review of their new stuff that doesn't write them off. how quickly things change nowadays eh.
It's a sad
state of affairs the way the music industry treats any new band these days. The level of expectation placed on them is ridiculous in the extreme, and they're given no time to develop or build a fanbase. It's all about instant, radio-friendly hits and if said artist doesn't deliver in an instant their career is as good as over.
i'd argue...
... that this one isn't the industry's fault. it's the rakes' fault for making a crap song. all that stuff about needing time to develop doesn't sap your ability to make a good pop tune for the time being.
but you're right, they're SO over...
You're right to a point
but it's still the record label putting pressure on the band to deliver an album NOW, with a commercial, radio-friendly song NOW.
If they'd been allowed to develop at their own pace then maybe we'd be listening to several good pop tunes now rather than the likes of this.
Anyone heard the Sebastian remix?
I've never heard such an over-compressed dirge. The volume level 'pumps' so much it makes the track unlistenable. It's like the mastering studio teaboy had a go at the controls and they released his version.
I have to say I really enjoyed the first album. Haven't heard the second one yet but this track doesn't bode well.
A weekend
in the city completely eclipses this album - i fell asleep by the time we danced together slothed its way out of my speakers - what a let down
Appaulling reviews
Yeah, i have to say 'Ten New Messages' has had pretty bad reviews. Q and NME both gave it mediocre scores, although having 'We Danced Together' as a first single was a very wrong move. What about 'Little Superstitions'?
"And if The Rakes don't give a shit about what I would say..."
I see what you did there! Very clever!
hang on...
... no... oh, i see! that's one of their lyrics! ha! oh, mercy mercy me, i didn't even notice.
i'm def. ready
for this music trend to die. everyone should be a funk band
It's clearly not a three out of ten is it
Come on. It may not be as good as their earlier singles, but it gets better the more you hear it. My major qualm with it is that it sounds to me like it should have been in Nick Love's 'The Business, but then maybe that's just me.
The album's ok, a bit disappointing but very listenable. I have a horrible feeling they may end up like The Futureheads did though...
I like this
Please will people stop telling me not to like these bands.
It's like fucking BRMC and The Datsuns again isn't it though
Fuck sakes can people stick around for more than two years please.
It kind of makes me sad
The album is pretty strong - for my money it's way superior to the second Franz album, for instance - but from the way the press has turned you'd think they'd recorded themselves throwing cats into pools of flaming petrol.
harsh
3/10 is well harsh, I think its quite a good single. I read a review in the times that gave the album, album of the week. So I downloaded it and think its pretty damn good, don't know why its been slated, 5/10 is just stupid from the nme.
yeah i think this is a decent song
whether you like the rakes or not. quite how the nme justify givning enter shitache a 8 or something and this album a 5 is ridiculous.