The Rapture - Pieces of the People We Love

The world needs to dance, and it seems The Rapture’s moniker is of no coincidence. Up from the indie underground (they call LCD Soundsystem’s DFA label home), dance music has never been more acceptable to the sweater-wearing, messenger bag-wearing indie crowd. Resistance-is-futile hooks parade amidst bass lines and guitar “chanka-chankas” that lather the cranium indefinitely.

Some may say Echoes, the band’s sophomore album, is a stronger record, and, in terms of originality, perhaps it’s true. This isn’t to say The Rapture have “sold out,” they’ve just perfected doing something that was more than hinted at on the last album. The Rapture have fully embraced their groove and hook-oriented side, thus producing Pieces of the People We Love, an album ripe for dance floors and countless remixes by celebrity DJs.

The band has done away with some of the more abrasive elements that decorated Echoes and opted for one of the most accessible “indie” releases since possibly The Shins’ Chutes Too Narrow. Gone are the shout-y vocals of yore. You won’t find the post-punk, in-your-face feel of tracks like “Heaven” from Echoes here. Instead of blaring, over-driven guitar and punching drum accents, the band is working as one unit under a groove. Guitars are clean and cutting, reminiscent of 70’s funk more than Fugazi. No more rock band here.

While audiences had to sit through the first three tracks of Echoes for the dance beats to kick up, Pieces delivers from the start. “Don Gon Do It,” the lead-off track, features harmonies Brian Wilson fans will respect, while a toned-down cowbell taps in the background, though not at all reminiscent of the big single from Echoes, “House of Jealous Lovers.” The first three tracks are all instantly memorable, making way for the album’s high point in “Whoo! Alright Yeah…Uh Huh.” This is the song that will transform cars, dorm rooms, and record store aisles into dance clubs (if the first three songs didn’t already.

The Rapture haven’t created something new. Rather, they’ve done something that is often done shoddily with poignancy and skill. Resistance is futile. Start dancing.