On a weekend where Christians were honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jews honoring redemption, hundreds of fans poured into the Music Hall of Williamsburg to honor the music of The Rapture. Their work is an infectious blend of disco from the 70's, punk rock from the 90's and electronica from naughts. The band's obsession from their very beginning is to blur the lines of these genres – so much so that The Rapture’s ever-stomping, ever-dancing, wild-arm-flinging fans could listen to them anywhere – from a grungy dive bar to a glitzy dance party.
In all of their songs, but especially in their performances of Get Myself Into It, House of Jealous Lovers and the show's finale, How Deep is Your Love, Vito Roccoforte's relentless force of drums and Gabriel Andruzzi's propulsive melodic saxophone blend into a groove with Luke Jenner's soulful, shrilling, aching-but always powerful voice. The audience was mostly young, dressed down and unpretentious – fans who let the music take control and simply danced their hearts out. The first encore, Children, seemed a touch on the emo side, but Miss You and How Deep is Your Love even motivated fans from the very back of the second level to get on their feet and move.
Other works to highlight were Whoo! Alright Yeah... Uh Huh (or WAYUH) and a recent favorite of mine, Sail Away, where Luke Jenner's voice is haunting and romantic and nostalgic all at once.
There were no variations between their performed and recorded songs – proof that Jenner sings and wails his heart out just as much in concert as in the studio. It's clear the band is confident in their identity and their accomplishments. Jenner recently posted this on the band's blog:
Because “House of Jealous Lovers” didn’t get played on the radio and sell millions of records I thought I had failed....That song changed the game, we were the first band of our generation to write a really killer song that incorporated something that you could DJ in a club full stop with a punk vibe. ... I think it’s finally time for me to claim it, to be myself, fearlessly. Ten years ago, I accomplished everything I ever wanted in music. To make a mark, to be part of the awesome chain of music history, however small.
The Rapture proves that obsession is a prerequisite to success. Their music succeeds because of their never-ending chase to perfect their sound – they are game changers and they should claim it.
The Rapture will be playing at Coachella in San Diego on Friday, April 13. We hope to see you there.
