The boys are back in New York where they belong. The Rakes are on the scene again making feet happy and bodies dancing. It's been two years since their last visit to our country, and they remain skinny and in top post-punk form.
The setlist:
- You're In It
- Retreat
- We Danced Together
- Terror!
- Light From Your Mac
- Open Book
- Woes of the Working Women
- 22 Grand Job
- That's the Reason
- Violent
- Binary Love
- We Are All Animals
- 1989
- The Loneliness of the Outdoor Smoker
- The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect
- ENCORE: Strasbourg
This is my fourth time seeing them (third at Bowery) and they've haven't changed since CMJ in 2005. They're released three albums of their brand of super-accelerated dance rock. They might not to be the poster boys of this decades British rock revival, but when you see them live you are guaranteed a good time and a crowd of moshing people.
Their latest album, Klang!, offers more peppy tunes to keep your head bopping and toes tapping. While it's not much different from Ten New Messages or Capture/Release, it's good to know that they remain true to themselves and not bowing to what the NME says is the new sound of 2009. Please don't change, fellas. I love you just the way you are.
The Rakes' live show is led by Alan Donahue, having known him when the band started making the rounds, he becomes an odd, dancing machine who's quirky nature takes the better of him. Between songs, he goes off on tangents and is prone to making voices. His best trait is that he has some unique dance moves where he jerks around like a robot zombie. Off the stage, he's as normal and charming as anybody ... and his new blond hair is perfect.
The other thing about their shows in New York is that they bring out the crazies. Many of you remember their Bowery show in 2006 when the Towers of London opened up and they threw a mic stand into the crowd, hitting my friend. That same show, a guy was ready to fight Alan if he didn't play "22 Grand Job". Tonight, the moshing crowd was the livest I've ever seen at a Rakes show. Not to be outdone by the crazy dude who might have gotten kicked out for dancing on top of the Dig's equipment. That was a first, I have to stay.
Speaking of not changing, local boys The Dig are back at Bowery again. They just played there six weeks ago with Mystery Jets, but it looks like they've got the goods to make a name for themselves. I have no witty observations or creative writing pull quotes to give you. They are just a damn good band. If they keep at what they are doing, playing consistently, frequently and effectively, their brand of 70s road house rock will find an audience beyond our fair city.
nice review. they are amazing, I saw them last Thursday
Posted by: Hanan | April 07, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Yeah The dig is def on point. Actually going to see them tonight, that's why I ran across this post.
Posted by: aj | October 02, 2009 at 05:29 PM