Klang by The Rakes - Uhune

ALBUM

The German word for "sound," Klang is a fitting title for the Rakes' third album -- and not just because the band recorded it in Berlin. These songs have a lot more sound to them than the relatively muted Ten New Messages, and the bandmembers turn up the volume on their emotions as well: "You're in It"'s jerky rock kicks off the album with the pungent refrain "Sometimes you can't smell the shit till you're in it," and as singer Alan Donohoe pours out his raging id, singing about sex and drugs and being in hell in a stream-of-consciousness smear, he sounds as wound up here as he sounded deadpan on the band's previous album. In fact, a lot of Klang feels like a direct reaction to Ten New Messages' more studied sound, especially on more unhinged moments like "Shackleton," another high-strung rant. Collaborating with producer Chris Zane (who has also worked with Les Savy Fav) inspired the Rakes to rock just as hard as they did in their early days, but with more precision: several of these songs could have appeared on Capture/Release, especially the "Strasbourg"-esque rave-up "The Final Hill" and "Bitchin' in the Kitchen," a sharply observed track about hanging out in the kitchen at parties that plays like a sequel to "Retreat." No matter how much the Rakes tinker with their sound, smoking, drinking, working, and going out are still the guideposts of their world, along with Donohoe's world-weary wit, which is especially trenchant on the paranoid, slightly self-loathing "The Loneliness of the Outdoor Smoker" and "That's the Reason." And while the single "1989" is Rakes-shaped enough to reassure longtime fans that the band isn't changing too drastically, it doesn't just stay in a poppy punk comfort zone. The band attempts some adventurous storytelling as Klang comes to a close, particularly on the charmingly awkward love song "The Light from Your Mac" and "Muller's Ratchet," a wry complaint from a father to his lazy son. "No one here likes a smart-arse," Donohoe sings, but the Rakes are smart enough to try new things with each album, and Klang's sharp guitar pop balances their previous directions with flair. ~ Heather Phares

1. You're In It

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

2. That's The Reason

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

3. The Loneliness Of The Outdoor Smoker

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

4. Bitchin' In The Kitchen

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

5. The Woes Of The Working Woman

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

6. 1989

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

7. Shackleton

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

8. The Light From Your Mac

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

9. Mullers Rachet

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

10. The Final Hill

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

11. Demons (Bonus Track)

Primary Artist: The Rakes; Main Performer
Composer: The Rakes; Composer
Lyricist: The Rakes; Composer
Artist: The Rakes; Production
Mixing: Chris Zane
Alex Aldi; Production
Producer: Chris Zane; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

31 minutes and 31 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1400x1400 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

9/11 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

8/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Alternative & Indie, Alternative, Punk, Indie Rock, Brit Rock

Label

[PIAS] Cooperative

Music Distribution Service

Vital PIAS SPRL

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Mar 22, 2009

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602527021829