The Rakes: Work, Work, Work (Rock, Rock, Rock)

The Rakes are very laddish and sometimes irreverant. Their songs are quite infectious and catchy, but of course that doesn't mean they're silly and meaningless, as you can tell from the songs I posted. "Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep)", for example, deftly paints a picture of the painful life of an "ordinary" working bloke (note the "posh sounding girl, going on and on". Is this a shout out to Pulp? The song does have shades of "Common People").



The Rakes' first full-length album Capture/Release was released in the U.K. a fortnight ago (that's two weeks to North Americans! Actually, it's two weeks to them too). But "fortnight" is fun to say, and to write as well. "Fortnight". Woot. The album has garnered a fairly favourable response from critics, and that's pretty impressive. It's their job to be critical!

Something about this blend of alt. rock/ska/punk/pop may feel familiar to you, but if you're like me (at least on this occasion), it'll still feel fresh and likeable.

The Rakes played played Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival on Friday and Carling Weekend: Reading Festival today, tackling both sets without ailing lead singer Alan Donohoe, instead relying on guitarist Matthew Swinnerton to handle most lead vocals. The band was joined on stage during each set by members of Bloc Party and Towers Of London, and at Reading, by Maximo Park. So, for what it's worth those bands presumably dig the band too.

(Quick, jump on the bandwagon before the backlash starts).

A couple tracks from The Rakes' debut album, Capture/Release:

mp3:The Rakes - Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep)

mp3:The Rakes - Terror!

mp3:The Rakes - Strasbourg

You can check out songs and videos from Capture/Release at the Rakes' website