The New York quartet The Rapture can be seen as a precursor to the post-punk revival. On the 2003 album Echoes (featuring the well-known dance floor filler House Of Jealous Lovers), the group combined dance and fun rhythms with wildly scratchy guitar work, which bassist / singer Luke Jenner often screamed about like a hysterical Robert Smith. But Echoes also had more dark and spherical moments. On
… the successor Pieces… these moments are missing and the group seems to have opted for the pop side of their music. In the first songs, mainly whirring electronics dominate, with Jenner sounding more melodic than ever. It all sounds very catchy and almost cheerful, but with the increase of the live instruments - the chopping, staccato guitar parts and the dominant, metallic drumming - fortunately the depth also increases. It never gets as raw and uplifting as in House Of Jealous Lovers, Pieces… has mainly become a swinging and melodic record, but this does not fulfill the promise that was made with Echoes. (MR)more
