The Rakes aren't much different than your typical post-punk band around these days. Most people will even write them off as a cookie-cutter version of the same old sound we've heard in bands like Bloc Party, The Futureheads, and Art Brut over the last two years.
While they're unquestionably cut from the same cloth as their contemporaries, The Rakes aren't exactly trying to fit into the clique, but were one of the first in line during post-punk's second coming. Finally picked up by V2, the group quickly released the Retreat EP early in 2005 with Capture/Release closely on its heels. With the incessant hype caused by the UK press surrounding the band, the group's first full-length due out in the U.S. has been anticipated since their single "22 Grand Job" burst onto the scene back in 2004. Capture/Release spends its time occupied with Springsteenian ethos as the workingman's band and excels at adroit take-no-prisoners social observations. Whether it's the Art Brut-like wit found on "Guilt" interpreted "I found paradise / In-between your thighs / It was quick and nice / The feeling's cold as ice," or our struggle with evolution stating "We'll chase food, money and sex / Until satisfied /And when its time to rest / Ask what's next?" on "We Are All Animals."

The regrettable reality of this record is that it's come too late. Only time will tell whether or not there is still room for acceptance within this post-punk revival niche. Regardless, Capture/Release is a strong addition to some of the genre's great albums that have been released in the last couple of years. What's more, two of the album's closing tracks, including "Terror" and "Work Work Work (Pub Club Sleep)" are among the greatest cuts to come out of post-punk's resurgence.