Howl
Red Ink, 2005
http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com
REVIEW BY: Paul King
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/30/2007
This is the situation that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club found themselves in, prior to the recording of their third album Howl. Although initially blamed on ‘internal conflict’ within the band, the truth of drummer Nick Jago’s departure (and subsequent reinstatement near the end of the recording sessions) was revealed to have been caused by his battle with drug and drink addiction. The story goes that without a drummer to accompany them, remaining members Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been were forced to stow the amplifiers and effects pedals and break out the acoustic guitars.
On this record, the band has stripped back their sound to its essential blues, folk and gospel influenced heart. Pushing the acoustic guitars and vocals to the front, whilst focusing more tightly on songwriting and melody. It’s these changes in sonic texture that are the first thing to hit you upon hearing Howl. It’s an album almost entirely free of the swathes of Jesus & Mary Chain inspired guitar noise previously associated with BRMC and in its place we get rootsy guitars, keening harmonica parts and rustic sounding percussion. This less cluttered approach pays off by highlighting the band’s song-writing skills, with most of the material on Howl ranking amongst the strongest and most emotionally resonant that the band has ever recorded.
The songs themselves range from the foot-stomping, back porch swagger of “Ain’t No Easy Way” (the lead single from the album) through to the gentle, dustbowl folk stylings of “Devil’s Waiting”. Taking in elements of gospel and country music along the way and blending them into BRMC’s own particular brand of dusty, world-weary
Whilst it’s easy to see this new direction as a total departure from their previously established sound, a closer examination of BRMC’s back catalogue reveals that these blues, country & gospel elements have always been present in their music. Songs like “Spread Your Love” and “Salvation” from their debut album as well as “And I’m Aching” from 2003’s Take Them On, On Your Own have these same influences at their core. In fact, album opener “Shuffle Your Feet” made it’s first appearance on the B-Side of the re-issued “Whatever Happened To My Rock ‘n’ Roll (Punk Song)” single back in 2002, albeit in a embryonic form. All that has happened with this album is that these influences have been pushed to the fore instead of being buried deep in the mix.
There really can be little doubt that it’s the band’s specific intention to evoke an air of vintage, bohemian
As previously noted, the majority of the songs on this album are strong and well arranged but standout tracks include “Gospel Song,” which initially comes on like a country cousin to R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” before expanding into a glorious, tear streaked, celebration of salvation and redemption. Then there’s the menacing “Fault Line”, which paints a haunting picture of a heroin addict’s search for solace, set against a familiar ‘rising water’ metaphor. “Complicated Situation” is another fine song with a sound so drenched in coffeehouse ambiance and boho attitude that it could’ve been recorded during the sessions for Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ album.
It has to be said though; occasionally there are times on this album when BRMC fail to hit the mark, like on the ponderous title track “Howl” or the dreary “The Line” for example. But essentially, this album is a collection of moving performances that showcase Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at their most focused and song driven. Howl is a fine record and certainly worthy of reassessment by fans of both the indie/alternative scene and roots music. It provides a captivating snapshot of a born-again BRMC, growing up and wearing their hearts and influences on their sleeve.