Echoes

The Rapture are a New York indie rock band, sometimes referred to as “The Disco Strokes”. This is their first album, produced by the hip studio duo DFA. An early single from the album, the shouty “House of Jealous Lovers”, has become a dance floor classic.

In the spirit of the age this album mines the early 80s; though not the electro pop of that decade like Fischerspooner et al. The Rapture reference the austere sounds of British punk-funk.

If you’re over 35 you might remember, The Gang Of Four, PiL, ACR. Protest music of the Thatcher era, music which made you wear a beret and live in a squat and think about taking up Kung Fu. Add to this the fact that singer Luck Jenner sounds like Robert Smith of The Cure, and his crazed screaming recall John Lydon’s work with PiL.

…There’s nothing lazy about this album, they’ve worked hard in the heat and sweat of the Big Apple - producing something which is quite special.

The most immediate pleasure comes from the more housey tracks. “Jealous Lovers” still makes me want to jump about and kiss someone I shouldn’t, “I Need Your Love” is as groovesome a tune as you’ll hear all year, and “Sister Saviour” is a funky 80s throwback.

Excerpts from a review by Matt Conrad (BBC, September 2003)