Billboard

The Rakes are Londons most switched-on, keyed-up young band. Way back when in 2005 they were lauded for their way with an observant lyric. The short-sharp-shock of their first album, Capture/Release, was steeped in the speedy buzz of punk, but they also had an intellectual heft and curiosity missing from many contemporaries at the time.

Their recent release Ten New Messages is about communication and travel, about moving through the modern world. Its real life, as opposed to globalised existential angst and pretension. The new album is as lean as the band themselves: Donohoe (vocals), Matthew Swinnerton (guitar), Jamie Hornsmith (bass), Lasse Petersen (drums). But theres a lyrical muscularity and also an ambiguity about them that adds a punch as ferocious and/or as focused as the playing.

The Rakes are economical with their writing: they work on the songs they need, that are good enough to pass muster. Focus on the job at hand. Be right. Be tight. Be concise. Their songs sharp, to the point, meaningful, glorious will see to that.

www.therakes.co.uk
www.myspace.com/therakes

Videos - see all 3

Friends - see all 59

• Add to Friends
• Add Comment
• Send a Message

Stats

plays today - 0

all-time plays - 174

profile views - 957

Discography - see all 3

• 

  Ten New Messages

• 

  Capture / Release

• 

  Retreat EP