Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Baby 81
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are back, and gloomier than ever.

After a critically acclaimed musical overhaul on their 2005 album "Howl", BRMC are back to their old tricks of heavy, whiny guitars and an overall grim darkness which helped the guys find a following in the first place. But, is getting back to basics always a good thing?

Far to many musical acts are critisized and despised for changing their musical direction. Look at the backlash Silverchair recieved over "Diorama", or Phil Collins and Genesis, even Foo Fighters went soft on their latest album. And while the majority of the time critics love it - the fans hate it. So it's no wonder the critics have gone to town on "Baby 81" for reverting back to the original BRMC sound after such an exceptional Blues/Roots experimentation in "Howl".

But I have to admit, while "Baby 81" does sound a great deal more polished (sometimes, to polished), it's still a damn fine album to chuck on nice and loud on a grey, rainy day.

I Took Out A Loan works well, creating a huge dark storm cloud which sets you up for the rest of the album. Distorted base (make sure you've got your subbies working) and heavy guitar play are the key to the album's success (or failure) depending on where you are approaching the album from.

The first single off the album, Weapon of Choice, is a long way from the upbeat Fatboy Slim track of the same name (remember that clip with Christopher Walkin dancing on the walls) but just as interesting and worthwhile to listen to.

Window is catchy, Killing The Light has a good deal of "Grumpy Beatles" to it while Need Some Air is simply magnetic. There is some backlash over 666 Conducer and it's rather lush sounds - and I have to agree - it lacks a good deal of substance.

But, at the end of the day, "Baby 81" works best listened to on whole. It is certain to bring a certain mood out in you - which a good album should. And how can it not, taking into consideration that the name of the album is a reference to Abhilasha Jeyarajah (known as Baby 81), an infant who was a claimed survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the subject of a parental identity dispute. He was named Baby 81 after being the 81st victim taken to that hospital after the tsumani hit Sri Lanka.

So obviously, there is a bit of backstory - but most people won't even be slightly aware of it. Which means it's up to the music to speak to the people.

So is it worth forking out the $20 for (or waiting on the download time off LimeWire)? Well, it really all depends on what direction you wish to approach "Baby 81". For new listeners to the BRMC (the guys will be making an appearance at 2007's Falls Festival) world, this is a fantastic and extremley enjoyable introduction to a fantastic band. For hardened critics, this is a backwards step in evoloution of genius, and for hardcore fans - well, you're gonna love it no matter what, aren't you!

RATING: 3 out of 5