Black Rebel Motorcycle Club might be reopening America’s anthology of individuality

Another freezing morning and the only warmth is emitted from the shiny surface of a CD: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s ‘Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’ existentially rocks somewhere in the no-mans-land between punk and psychedelia. It is like a magic ride on a carpet of sonic-weave, making the second cuppa of the morn taste even more addictive (although decaf).

‘BRBC’ contains power but modified in a manner that stretches an aging rockist’s facial lines. Things are rather vivid, bouncy, enthusing, and it takes only the third song to truly mesmerise: ‘Whatever Happened To My Rock’n’Roll (punk songs)’ combines the Sex Pistols’ fury strangely merged with the 1970s Glam-guitars and a catchy chorus that blossoms into a Hendrix-like ending. Whatta gem!

This trio from San Francisco is really a revelation from the American vastness that’s been dominated by too many corpo-punkers, made-up intenseniks and sedate rockers of Creed kind. Not adverse to some prime-cut psychedelia of the vintage Pink Floyd kind in ‘Awake’, BRMC also touch on The Doors’ hypnotonia in ‘Too Real’, melding some Beach Boys-ness and experimentation in ‘White Palms’. Their music also recalls Joy Division and The Jesus And The Mary Chain, with equally nonchalant confidence.

None of it is blatant recycling of old-ideas-for-new-consumers but expending on the tomes of influences. This is a ‘West Coast’ school of loose rocking that knows to be raw and faux-sophisticated at the same time; its blues-content is more of the atmospheric kind, dragged into the 21st century with sprinklings of rockabilly and even hardcore. Diversity is an artistic approach here and it is so refreshing to anticipate each song’s evolution rather than be pacified with the ‘ped-rock’s’ re-chording.

Taking their name from the Marlon Brando-led gang in ‘The Wild One’ movie, ‘BRMC’ is not as much a rebellious statement as it is a wake-up call. It ups the quality of rock with a low-fi production and subversive approach. This, last year’s album in effect, is the first great release of the 2002. Crucial mojo.

8.7/10