Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81 (Drop The Gun)
3/5
By: Keri Kennedy
'Baby 81', the fourth album from this leather-clad threesome, sees the return of British drummer Nick Jago who departed after the excesses of their 2004 festival tour. It's therefore a welcome return, in the most part, to the sound of their eponymous debut of 2001.
Named after a baby admitted to hospital after the Tsunami of 2004, who was subsequently claimed by nine mothers until finally being reunited with its own family, BRMC are suggesting something of the same. They've been on a somewhat wayward journey with Peter Hayes' and Robert Been's offering of the stripped down 'Howl', now reformed, they're back on track with 'Baby 81'.
First single 'Weapon Of Choice' harks back to 'Whatever Happened To My Rock and Roll', and though there's more acoustic guitar and the trademark Jesus and Mary Chain echoing vocal is dominant, it's still full on, scuzzy, rock'n'roll. The piano-led 'Window' is bluesy Beatles, with Hayes' winding vocal hanging onto every word, while 'Berlin' along with 'Need Some Air' could be mistaken as the influence of recently touring with The Killers rubbing off. Both open with pounding beats and a grinding guitar riffs, 'Need Some Air' is teetering on the edge of stadium rock, 'Berlin' however is more understated fuzz-charged rock. But whatever kind of rock it is they're playing, it's always, always rock...
The psychedelic tinged strum of '666 Conducer', feels like it should build to a climax but only plods along, however 'Am I Only' combines abrasive electric and acoustic guitars with strings to create a wall of sound that'd be the perfect soundtrack for anyone sitting in a dive bar nursing a scotch on ice in the early hours.
BRMC have been on a voyage of discovery in the past six years, and while they might not be returning with a whole new package, 'Baby 81' feels like they've taken what they want from their trip, and finally come home.
Stream three tracks from 'Baby 81' HERE.
Artists in this article: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment