Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Howl

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's 2001 debut album was a stunning straight-up rock album. Their second, Take Them On, On Your Own, was a hypnotic and hazy trip that never blew up. That was its downfall - great songs, but it just fizzled.

Howl is something different. Essentially it's a bunch of porch tunes, church tunes and naked, confessional rock songs, heavy on the acoustic but strong on guts.

On the title track and strapping first single, Ain't No Easy Way, there are hints of that maudlin, British indie-band vibe of BRMC's earlier influences, such as Ride and the Jesus and Mary Chain, but generally this is heartfelt and raw gospel music.

Tracks such as Still Suspicion Holds You Tight, Fault Line and Gospel Song are spellbinding in their spirituality - surprising coming from leather-clad rockers. And Sympathetic Noose, tucked down the end of the album, is the best BRMC have written.

It's great to hear a band prepared to try something new. They don't make many bands like that anymore.

Label: Sony/BMG