Baby 81

Performer: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Engineer: Rick Parker
Producer: Michael Been; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Distributor: RED Distribution

Notes: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Peter Lind Hayes, Robert Levon Been, Nick Jago. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's third album, HOWL, was a near-total reinvention of the Los Angeles-based trio's sound, introducing previously unknown folk and country influences. Although the experiment was artistically successful, the band completely abandoned it on their fourth album, BABY 81, in favor of a return to their original, far more aggressive sound as heard on their self-titled debut and second album (TAKE THEM ON, ON YOUR OWN). BABY 81 reiterates all of BRMC's original influences, primarily the Jesus and Mary Chain's mix of ear-piercing feedback and pop hooks and My Bloody Valentine's love of massed guitar drones for their own sake. These combine with co-leaders Peter Hayes and Robert Turner's familiar vocal style on songs as diverse as the poppy first single, "Weapon of Choice," and the Sonic Youth style nine-minute noise-rock epic, "American X." Other highlights include the strutting opening track, "Took Out a Loan," and the Stooges-like sleaze of "Berlin."

Spin (p.84) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] recent attraction to Britpop yields expertly crafted songs like the angry, political 'Weapon of Choice' and the brooding crooner 'Window.'" Alternative Press (p.156) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The bulk of BABY 81 draws from the dark underbelly of the Woodstock generation..." Magnet (p.90) - "BABY 81 finds BRMC back in control of the street corner, cigarette squints and rock 'n' roll swagger intact." No Depression (p.97) - "BABY 81 finds BRMC further refining their distinctive, invigorating blend of swirling, fuzzed-out guitar squall and stripped-down bluesy soul."

Though the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (whose name comes from Brando film THE WILD ONES) are American, their sound borrows heavily from British sources, and they became a sensation in the UK with their 2001 debut album. Though singer/multi-instrumentalist Robert Turner is the son of Michael Been, leader of '80s California band the Call, the roots of BRMC lie in the misty guitar textures of English shoegazer bands like Ride and Slowdive, and the '60s-flavored fuzz tones of the Jesus & Mary Chain. After the band's second album, 2003's TAKE THEM ON, ON YOUR OWN, the BRMC parted ways with their label Virgin.

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