The Rakes - Klang

When mentioning The Rakes, many music fans can muster up the distant memory of ‘22 Grand Job’ - the band’s breakthrough hit, which thanks to a Lethal Bizzle re-release, has dominated the band’s career and led to two moderately produced albums. Now with ‘Klang’ the band are stepping a little away from their previous efforts.

The first song ‘You’re In It’ starts the album with a piece of slap dash punk, which you would be lucky to hear outside the rehearsal room in usual circumstances. The wired guitars ooze of cheap production, as we’re left enduring lead singer Alan Donohoe’s off key yelps - and unfortunately the album fails to significantly improve. ‘That’s The Reason’ receives a small boost, though mainly through alternative vocals as Alan’s voice fails to stand up among the guitar background mess. ‘Mullers Rachet’ takes you on a distortion trip which leaves you wincing at the thought of another listen while ‘The Loneliness Of An Outdoor Smoker’ makes you instantly press for the skip button.

Yet there is no doubt this album has hidden gems. ‘1989’ has an addictive melody, which is complimented by the wiry guitars and dry attitude while the Berlin bunker the album was recorded in echoes through the album. The record is somewhat empty and emotionless, yet its sterilisation somehow suits a band clearly influenced by industrial noise. As the album winds down to a lacklustre finish we’re left a little puzzled as we wonder if The Rakes have broken the habit, or progressed very little since their previous material - either way the band prove there’s more to them than a one hit wonder.