The Rogers Sisters: rocking in the revo-mode

Democracy is a political system where minority is oppressed by the majority’s ignorance, bad taste and other hypes of the moments, is the feeling this reporter has about our Album of the Week choice. Without questioning its quality this tiny mind believes that The Rogers Sisters’ ‘Three Fingers’ is a more vibrant, aware, relevant and timely disc. But then, it could be argued that it is only a version - ‘Remastered with Bonus Tracks’.

The Rogers Sisters are not all sisters, not all female and not all, by some wacky coincidence, surnamed Rogers. What this ‘sisterhood’ maketh is common knack to make funky pop-rock songs that are flaming cocktails of sharp beats, relentless bass grooves and a guitar that owns its sound to some of the most innovative six-stringers.

‘Three Fingers’ was originally a seven-track mini-album released last year that, with four extra tracks now, makes it more of a proper follow-up to their debut disc ‘Purely Evil’ of 2003. This is a delightful collection that draws its influences from B-52s, The Slits, The Fall, Gang Of Four, Mission of Burma, vintage Jane’s Addiction… Some of the choicest names to get inspired by!

Less of an alternative record and more of a funky item that shows its punky, new and no-wave roots, garage rock, funkoid and not afraid to experiment with primal beats and tribal vibes - cue ‘Check Level’. There is so much energy here, so much enthusiasm, so much infectious tunes that non engagement either means stiffness or deafness by the charting pop-bull.

Real-life sisters Jennifer (vocals, guitar) and Laura (drums, backing vocals) and Miyuki Furtado (vocals, bass) are on a mission that spreads from the directness of ‘Freight Elevator’ to spatial-cum-mutated psychedelic environ of ‘Five Months’. ‘The Secrets of Civilisations’ douses sonically like an April shower.

Of the four bonuses, two are different versions: ‘Fantasies Are Nice’ is sung in French and ‘45 Prayers’ is presented in Japanese. A blast of emotions and sexiness, angst and need to riot in the fields of an eternal teenage rebellion…

There are a lot of newish bands that are pushed upon us - Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, The Futureheads, Razorlight, The Editors - but they all miss one thing this trio of Sisters do have in abundance: an edge.

8.4/10