The Rakehells - Please Yourself: Or The Devil Himself

The Rakehells - Please Yourself: Or The Devil Himself
2010, Rock Park Records

With members from both sides of the Atlantic, The Rakehells have developed a special relationship built on familiar building blocks: The Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, The Ramones and The Stooges. Bringing their lascivious musical presence to New York's club circuit over the past five years, The Rakehells decided it was time to document their sound. With the help of producer Mitchell Rackin, The Rakehells recorded Please Yourself: Or The Devil Himself, live in Studio. The album is set for release on September 21, 2010 and captures the frenetic live energy that has made the band a crowd favorite.

The Rakehells drive their points home with fifteen sub-three minute compositions in a performance that smack familiar to the frenetic sound of The Ramones but with the deliberate chutzpah of the The Rolling Stones. "Ready Fire Aim" is the vibrant lead track that suggests the impulsive nature that runs throughout the album. "Souls For Sale" is a driven little rocker built around an infectious guitar riff that starts heavy and never lets up with rapid-fire lyrics and an arrangement that's quick, dirty and to the point. "Mode Of The Mountain" is a straight-ahead barrel ride of the song; the Rakehells offer no quarter in the pure punk diatribe. "Charles Malay" is pure punk energy but retails a serious pop song aesthetic that will have it playing in your mind well after the CD has stopped spinning.

"Meat On A Stick" maintains the breakneck pace before The Rakehells lapse into the Le Singe, sounding more than a bit like the Talking Heads. "Capital" keeps the same energy but in a more Ramones-inspired rampage. Things get a bit hairy thereafter, with The Rakehells flying further and further from the melodic core with songs such as "Sexton Blake", "Prophets & Profiteers" and the Rolling Stones-styled "Cool Your Boots". The Rakehells close with "Poison Pen Letter", clocking in at nearly four minutes; easily the longest track on the album. Imagine a sort of British Invasion/grunge mix and you'll have an idea where The Rakehells are coming from here. It's an intriguing offering, perhaps a sign of where The Rakehells might head when they eventually tire of the two-minute song form. A brief untitled track follows that plays with sampling and overdubs, but appears to be more afterthought than anything else.

The Rakehells certainly have the energy and vitality to make a live show worthwhile. On Please Yourself: Or The Devil Himself, The Rakehells show a propensity for straight-ahead punk madness with high energy and indifference to public safety. It's a style that will play well in New York and London and to select pockets of music fans around the world. There are hints of a deeper musicality and ambitiousness that may allow room for growth into a more balance songwriting style that will sustain The Rakehells long past the vigor of their youth. For now they're a lot of fun, with great potential on the horizon.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Rakehells at http://www.therakehellsnyc.com/ or www.myspace.com/therakehells. Please Yourself: Or The Devil Himself drops on September 21, 2010.  You can pre-order the digital version from Amazon.com.

Review: New York Dolls - 'Cause I Sez So

New York Dolls – ‘Cause I Sez So
2009, ATCO

If the New York City punk scene of the 1970’s could be traced back to one forefather it might just be the New York Dolls. Mixing influences as rich as the Rolling Stones, classic R&B, rock and Philly Funk with an attitude that’s all New York, New York Dolls practically created the scene that spawned such bands as The Ramones, Blondie, The Talking Heads and Television. The New York Dolls reunited in 2004 after a long hiatus with original members David Johansen (known to some as Buster Poindexter) and Sylvain Sylvain. The New York Dolls rock their way into 2009 with a new album of original tunes, ‘Cause I Sez So.

The New York Dolls don’t mess around with the sort of edgy, maudlin alt-pop you hear on the radio nowadays. This is good old fashioned Rock N Roll with elements of Rhythm N Blues and the occasional dose of funk. ‘Cause I Sez So opens with the title track, a raucous, bar room song that you’ll want to shake your fanny to. Lonely So Long sees the Dolls embracing an Americana sound that is a bit surprising and yet fits them so very well. This is the sort of song you sing along to at a concert along with everyone else in attendance. My World is a blue collar, Rock N Roll love song that’s something of a throwback.

Making Rain is one of the stronger songs on the disc; an Alt-Country/Americana tune featuring outstanding guitar work. Drowning is a tasty bit of Southern/Classic Rock that opens with a guitar intro that isn’t in itself iconic but established a tenor and sound that is unforgettable (think Queensryche’s Silent Lucidity). My favorite song on the disc is Nobody Got No Bizness, a mix of Rock, Rhythm N Blues and a bit of Philly style funk. This is a great party tune that you won’t be able to get out of your head. ‘Cause I Sez So closes with Exorcism Of Despair, mixing elements of Rock and Punk with the frenetic drive of early Rush. This sounds like a 1970’s AOR staple.

The New York Dolls were a special band in a special time. Their successes in the early 1970’s paved the way for many artists who would come afterward. ‘Cause I Sez So is a very strong effort from the New York Dolls, and a sure sign that they have a lot of kick in them yet. If you’re looking for the roots of the Punk movement, look no further than the New York Dolls.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The New York Dolls at http://www.nydolls.org/ or www.myspace.com/newyorkdolls. You can purchase a copy of ‘Cause I Sez So at Amazon.com .

Review: (hed)p.e. - New World Orphans

(hed)p.e. - New World Orphans (N.W.O.)

2009, Suburban Noize Records

(hed)p.e. has come a long way; from party music mixing in the occasional social commentary to one of the hardest, most politically oriented acts on the table. Mixing elements of thrash metal, punk and hip-hop, (hed)p.e. responds to eight years of lionized conservative doctrine in governmental policy making with an equally lionized response born of the liberal blogosphere. (hed)p.e. markets this music as part of "The Truth Movement", purporting to tell the truth about the intent and actions of political and social elites around the world in controlling the non-elite. (hed)p.e.'s latest offering, New World Orphans (N.W.O.) is compelling listening whether you agree or disagree with their lyrical content.

(hed)p.e. leads off with Ordo (ab Chao), imploring listeners to "Think about it" in a classic thrash/punk tune about how government sows discord amongst the governed in order to maintain or consolidate power. Ordo should be a monster in the Modern Rock format, although the political climate has changed somewhat since (hed)p.e. wrote this song, at least in the US. Whether this song will reach as many as it might have under a President Bush is hard to say. It's interesting to note that (hed)p.e. doesn't seem to have much use for President Obama either. Higher Ground calls 2008 "another fake election". Oregon's The Dirtball rapid lays down the rhymes here in a rapid fire performance that will make your head spin. What becomes clear is that (hed)p.e. has become inspired by the same spirit of anarchy that drove The Sex Pistols and the entire punk movement.

Songs like Flesh And Blood implore listeners to "throw the bums out" of Washington, while songs like Planet X rip off the roof in a juxtaposition of thrash metal and an almost melodic surf/punk style. The Kottonmouth Kings sit in on Higher Ground; the liveliest song they've been associated with in several albums. Tech N9ne joins in on Work On This, tackling media driven perceptions of sex. Suffice it to say this is not an album for those with sensitive dispositions. Parents may want to think twice about letting this disc fall into the hands of impressionable ears (which of course means that every teen and tween who reads this will move mountains to listen to the album).

(hed)p.e. leaves sense and sensibility at the door in pursuit of their own version of the truth on New World Oprhans (N.W.O.). The music is amazing, and much of the album is thought provoking. At the same time a great deal of effort is expended using words and phrases to shock and awe the listener. This has the sum effect of lessening the impact of (hed)p.e.'s message. Misogynistic and homophobic language and imagery turns this into an angry diatribe born in facist doctrine rather than the sort of inspired education of the masses (hed)p.e. preaches, and begs questions about the true intent. Most likely the net effect is great market placement of music in message to invoke the appropriate number of bans and censures to ensure healthy sales, but the sum message balances of the precipice of irresponsibility at times. Ultimately New World Orphans pleases musically while leaving a lot of questions on the lyrical/message side of the coin.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about (hed)p.e. at http://www.newworldorphans.com/ or www.myspace.com/hedpe. You can purchase a copy of New World Orphans at Amazon.com or wherever music is sold.