The Rapture - ‘Pieces Of The People We Love’ (Vertigo) Released 18/09/06

Three years on from one of the most influential records of this fledgling decade The Rapture return second time round with a lot to live up to. Their debut long player ‘Echoes’ has spawned many imitators with a rash of dance-punk ensembles clogging up the indie airwaves, made the saxaphone cool once more and even has bands named after the song titles themselves. Having ditched their fellow New Yorkers DFA for producers du jour Paul Epworth and Danger Mouse the four piece find themselves on ‘Pieces Of The People We Love’ expanding their horizons beyond their own well worn template to touch on moments of reggae, psychedelia and disco-funk. However, if you were hoping for a new masterpiece you’ll sadly be very disappointed.

The album gets off to an inauspicious start and three songs in we’re left perturbed by what we’re hearing. Opener ’Don Gon Do It’ and first single ‘Get Myself Into It’ are virtually the same track the latter being simply a better version. Both centre around the four pieces seeming obsession to resurrect disco-funk, pleasant dance floor fodder but both as lightweight as a feather. Sandwiched in between them is the title track, an unremarkable near four minute plod through, of all bands, OK GO on a pretty damn poor day. Things aren’t looking good!

It isn’t until four songs in that we’re are given something to get our teeth into. ‘First Gear’ is a six minute piece of Justice meets Prince sleaze, dark and brooding but sleek along with it. This begins the best sequence of the album and three further highlights follow. The Rapture dig out their old Doors’ records on ‘Calling Me’ and team it with a little Wolfmother, psychedelic moments are fleshed out with meaty riffs while on ‘The Devil’ Luke Jenner takes on the role of lounge lizard in a 70s skin flick soundtrack, heavy breathing his way through pulsating baselines. ‘Whoo! Alright - Yeah…Uh Huh’ provides the ‘House Of Jealous Lovers Moment’ for ‘Pieces…’ as we’re are skipped along on a cowbell fuelled dance floor killer with added sing-a-long chorus.