Band: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Release: 3/2010
Label: Vagrant
1. “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” – A-
2. “Conscious Killer” – B-
3. “Bad Blood” – B
4. “War Machine” – B-
5. “Sweet Feeling” – C+
6. “Evol” – C+
7. “Mama Taught Me Better” – B
8. “River Styx” – B-
9.”The Toll” – B
10. “Aya” – B
11. “Shadow’s Keeper” – C+
12. “Long Way Down” – C+
13. “Half-State” – B+
Comments: Kasabian, say what?! My reviews are based on impulse and usually aren’t structured AT all. Like what I just said. I brought up Kasabian and then made a random comment. And then I just did it again. Okay, what I meant to say is that as soon as I first popped on “Beat” all I could hear was the band Kasabian with a bit more overt influence of the blues and garage rock. That’s basically a pretty good thing. I think the song could have exploded in some parts more effectively, but overall it’s memorable and great and all that crap. There is an apparent line in between forgettable and pretty cool. For a song like “Bad Blood,” it’s something that I normally would dig, but has me scratching my chin at some points. It’s funny how BRMC really wears its influences on its sleeve. I can even see a band like The Dig drawing influence from BRMC, even if it’s unintentional or indirect. Just look up The Dig and you’ll see what I mean. The thing about BRMC is that they seem to give a shit about what they are putting out. A lot of other garage rock bands that I love and adore don’t come across as spending a shit load of time on every song. I’m not being critical of one way or another…just putting what I hear in words. Another thing I’m getting: BRMC is probably a tight live band.
Grade: B- (82)
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 
I totally agree with your take on each song grade except I thought Conscious Killer was the best song on album. This is definately not their most memorable album, but very consistent with their other music.
Oh, and I have seen them live five times and every single time, they put on an amazing show. Band of Skulls is touring with them, which should make it even better.
Also, just saw the Dig at Varsity Theater with Portugal. The Man and agree with you.
Yeah man I think I’d see them at some point in life. I got to listen to the other albums first. Any recommendations?
Glen: Get the debut (“BRMC”) and “Howl” (the third album). Those two are hard to argue as not being their best and show the whole spectrum of what they can sound like.
The last two (“Baby 81” and “…Tattoo”) have been sort of amalgamations of all their different “sounds”. And the second album (“Take Them On…”) follows in the sound of the debut (some songs have the same origins and go back to early demo time – as do some songs from the just released album).
Anyway, go with 1 and 3 – “BRMC” and “Howl”.
-G.