Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - 'Whatever Happened...' (Virgin)
4/5
By: Toby L
What with the hysteria from the Brit press surrounding US acts that merit a sound not necessarily fitting into the general scheme of things, the fact that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club haven't been picked up on and sensationalised is probably a blessing to their career.
For instance, they won't have to worry about the pressures of living up to 'hype' for that debut album, nor will people be folding arms at their concerts, expecting to be entertained. However, it's worth remembering that even if they were greeted with such an initial reaction, they'd still be able to pull the cat out of the bag and prove themselves, no matter the quantity of quality praise supporting their name.
This, their debut European release, is an astounding introduction to a group that have found their sound and worked on it; so, no, all four tracks are different, and - indeed - the full length of this recording will have you shaking with joy. Beginning with the title-track, a furore of pounding riffs, a bassline that ropes you in and vocals that aren't dissimilar to late-80s UK alt-rock, or even Gaz Coombes from Supergrass, its delivery is so frantic and energetic that this site defies you to remain still whilst it plays.
And this is BRMC's real beauty: where others would merely try to emulate this cocky, smart style for the rest of their material, the Club stick up their middle fingers at such a prospect, going on to produce a further three tracks of lo-fi splendour and even haunting undertones. For the meantime, they appear to be America's best-kept secret, but don't expect that to last long once they reach international shores.
Artists in this article: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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