Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin (RCA / Sony BMG)
3/5
The enigmatic latest release from BRMC will not disappoint anyone already taken in by their craft. Marked with the customary coarse, gritty vocals, an equilibrium of feisty riffage and the Formula One bass lines that characterise this dogmatic American trio, 'Berlin' has enough of a kick to be considered cool, but not so much as to break the big labels' rules for what constitutes a neat party tune.
Swaggering, hazy guitar licks chase the cocaine fuelled revving intro, teasing the ear with a playful bass like the firm but tender hands of a young farmer on Daisy's udders; and between slightly complacent lyrics by nasally coherent vocalist Peter Hayes (the "revolution" he speaks of sounds like the kind of thing that will not only be televised, but will be available on demand by pressing the red button).
And I'm almost totally won over by this fourth single from 'Baby 81', and would be if it wasn't for their massively self conscious pushiness. There's an embarrassing, trying too hard 'two fingers up to The Man' quality to their lyrics, a little too reminiscent of Towers of London, and the high tempo standard drum patterns and less than anthemic chorus also fail to impress. It's a little like sex without the climax, pleasurable while it lasts, but leads to nothing.
However, the over all arrogance of it will always be as 'cool' as the other side of the pillow. And maybe that's all their fans want.
Watch the video to 'Berlin' HERE.
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