Track Listing

1. World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect
2. Little Superstitions
3. We Danced Together
4. Trouble
5. Suspicious Eyes
6. On A Mission
7. Down With Moonlight
8. When Tom Cruise Cries
9. Time To Stop Talking
10. Leave The City And Come Home

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16991 in Music
• Released on: 2007-03-19
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Jerky, irreverent and quasi-intellectual – thanks to right place/right time positioning, a frontman with all the behavioural anti-style of a skinny David Brent and everyday themes that were all too easy to relate to, The Rakes quickly received plaudits by the bundle and a lot of shouting ensued about them being an indie The Streets, or similar. Of course they weren't as clever as that, nor were they as brash as Franz Ferdinand, as intense as Bloc Party, as literate as Maximo Park, as chaotic as The Libertines or as slick as Razorlight, meaning that when the hype settled they were little more than that stale taste in the back of your throat from last night.

The general turnaround on Ten New Messages is as unexpected then as it is gratifying, with the stunted punk instancy of old traded in for a complex mesh of tight rhythms, creeping criss-cross melodic patch-working and a more mature palette of influences all round. The band are on leaner form, no doubt, but it's the front of house work by Alan Donahue that's likely to pull in the silverware. His vocals themselves are more assured but it's the focussed narratives – tracking someone down in the immediate aftermath of the 7/7 bombings (the anxious, touching "When Tom Cruise Cries") and the racism that inevitably followed that day (the inspired, multi-protagonist "Suspicious Eyes") for instance – where he simmers tensions and tone with a skill that the frivolity of their debut just couldn't manage. Discard all old messages. Save new. --James Berry

CD Description
London based indie rockers The Rakes follow up their critically acclaimed 2005 debut 'Capture/Release.' Produced by JimAbiss (Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys) and Brendan Lynch (Paul Weller, Primal Scream), 'Ten New Messages' was recorded in London in late 2006 and boasts a cleaner sound and more refinedcontent than its predecessor, whilst retaining the band's trademark grit and intensity. Includes the single 'We Danced Together.'

Customer Reviews

Ten New Messages
So far in the music press (aside from a somewhat glowing review in Q), this record has been much maligned in the like of the NME. On evidence I believe that this criticism is totally undeserved.

First of all, how does this record compare with its predecessor (Capture/Release)? Whereas the first record was full of witty, 3 minute raucous punk-pop gems, the new record exudes more ambition, with a richer, fuller sound (think the production of 'Computer love off the first album, but with added vitriol). However, this hasn't, as far as I'm concerned, dulled the appeal of the group at all.

From the first track, 'The World Was A Mess.....' you can tell that the same primal thrill that you expect from a Rakes record remains. The spidery guitar backed with a rich bass and drums combination makes for appealing listening. The same is true across the board. A personal favourite being 'Trouble' - a richer, drum-fill-peppered 'Strasbourg' with an epic melody to boot. 'Supsicious Eyes' is a fine piece of topical observation, and the album ends with a fine, lolloping 'Leave The City and Come Home' - a truly epic end to the album - to just name the highlights off a pretty consistent album.

In conclusion, the Rakes still have tunes. It's just they have come armed with more than 3-minute punk-pop songs - ambition and greater sound depth. Approach with an open mind and don't expect it to be a carbon copy of Capture/release and you may be pleasantly surprised.

What an album!
This album has been unjustly critisiced by many of the music press (NME) but luckily people with taste should enjoy this fine album. From start to finish it shows that the Rakes have grown in stature and maturity, it needs to be heard.

Tracks:

The world was a mess but his hair was perfect: Great name and a great tune. A really snappy intro that is just like the ld rakes, fast paced and packed with sneer.

Little Superstitions: A song of great maturity, a good song that has a really catchy beat.

We danced together: The lead single from the album, and what a cracker! Everything about this song is immense.

Trouble: A fast paced song. A really strong chorus that will be a live favourite.

Suspicios Eyes: What a tune! With a bit of rapping to boot! A fascinating song abut racism post 7/7. Needs to be heard!

On A Mission: This is where the album slows down in quality songs, it shouldn't be on this album. A good try though.

Down With Moonlight: A good pickup from the previous song, but again, not the best rakes song.

When Tom Cruise Cries: What a great title and what a great song! A brilliant take on our clebrity obsessed culture.

Time To Stop Talking: One of the highlights of the album. Needs to be heard!

Leave the city and come home: An average end to a great album. Could have been better.


Overall: A great second album, great for people into Bloc Party. The Rakes deserved far better media coverage for this album. It is far better than their frst and gives the band a platform to do even better things!

Buy it now!

I'm sorry but...
...how can the person above have legally heard the album if it's not been released yet? This sounds to me like a personal attack - all the more so that few if any will be in a position of making their minds up if they are legitimately waiting for the release!

So I am giving it 5 stars (based on the single, We Danced Together, that I received today) mostly to even out the above.