The Rakes - 22 Grand Job, A Review

Yes! I managed to get my hands on a copy of this soon to be legendry debut single from the lovely fellas at Rough Trade, who were limiting people to 2 copies each. I suppose I should have got a second copy to sell on EBay, but I was overcome with joy at getting my hands on this piece of vinyl.

So what does it sound like? Well it manages to pack a lot into something around 100 seconds – it starts with a run through the chorus, before the guitar pattern that anchors the song kicks in. The lyrics have the same distorted feel as every record ever recorded by Billy Childish (maybe they record their songs in the same broom cupboard) and tackle the banality of office life – bird at work looks alright, but the bloke in Sales likes her too, he’s on 28 and you’re only on 22; the lights that are too bright; talking shop with your colleagues in the pub after work, did you do the same degree?

As well as these lyrics, the song manages to squeeze a hand clap break down into the middle and a key change in at the end. Up ‘til now I’ve viewed the key change as an evil invention used to give a song further legs, used when the band can’t think of anything better to do. Exhibit A in the case against, Robbie Williams, Rock DJ. The exception that proves the rule is every record released by Motown, where the key change adds to the excitement (think about Chain Reaction by Diana Ross, which has about 3 key changes). This song fits the later, the key change ups the tension – you can hardly accuse The Rakes of trying to extending a sub 2 minute song.

If you’re interested the band are playing at The Camden Barfly on 18th May.

- posted by Nigella @ 7:48 PM