User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Take Control Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British punk duo was produced by the Beastie Boys' Michael "Mike D" Diamond (who also guests on one track).
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Lies
Lies Nothing but lies Hollow eyes Suit and ties Power Comes as advertised One man's health Another's paradise Games Nothing but games Pointing your... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Kerrang!
    Oct 27, 2016
    80
    It's a step forward lyrically and also musically. [29 Oct 2016, p.53]
  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 5, 2016
    80
    Modern life is rubbish, but the tunes are great. [Nov 2016, p.114]
  3. Alternative Press
    Oct 10, 2016
    80
    Slaves pull no punches with social and political commentary. But Take Control is also diverse and boasts sly British humor. [Nov 2016, p.90]
  4. Sep 29, 2016
    70
    It should come as no surprise that the second half suffers for its subdued pace; after all, Slaves are fashioned around the idea of being abrasive, not insightful.
  5. Oct 4, 2016
    70
    It’s still simplistic and limited but it’s meant to be. That’s the whole idea. The converted will remain.
  6. Nov 8, 2016
    60
    On Take Control, Slaves show glimpses of astuteness but these are often mitigated by hackneyed lyrics. This should be the revolutionary punk album that music and the wider world desperately needs right now. Sadly, it falls tantalizingly short.
  7. Sep 29, 2016
    40
    Chugging clatter and repetitive shouting is still offensively dull, even if they don’t really mean it.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Sep 30, 2016
    9
    Visceral and caustic.

    The charismatics from Royal Tunbridge Wells stay true to their sound with abrasive punk yet pleasantly surprise with
    Visceral and caustic.

    The charismatics from Royal Tunbridge Wells stay true to their sound with abrasive punk yet pleasantly surprise with their eclectic taste - quite alike to their veteran producer Mike D (Beastie Boys) who has boldly aided them in delivering a significant improvement on 'Are You Satisfied?'.

    The album touches on humane topics. The overall message still yells "If you're not content with something, seize the opportunity and DO SOMETHING about it" - a continuous theme from their debut, which this time is instilled in a more progressively intense fashion.

    Supreme songs are 'Take Control', 'Hypnotized' and 'Rich Man'.

    'Rich Man' is a GREAT track.

    The duo's balance of material quality (Studio VS. Live) also seems to be collating to a very pleasing standard - as witnessed at their astonishingly impressive gig in Hebden Bridge earlier this month. I'm proud to say I still have my hands on a shirt thrown into the brazen crowd by drummer Isaac Holman.
    Expand
  2. Sep 30, 2016
    8
    Brilliant, energetic and at points, more intelligent than one would have expected. Packed full of straight out punk tunes such as 'TakeBrilliant, energetic and at points, more intelligent than one would have expected. Packed full of straight out punk tunes such as 'Take Control', 'Rich Man' and 'Spit it Out'. Royal Tunbridge Wells punk duo, Isaac Holman (drums/vocals) and Laurie Vincent (guitars/vocals), also known as Slaves, are on their A game with a heavier, more developed sound than found on their debut full length LP 'Are You Satisfied?' courtesy of Mike D's production. 'Consume Or Be Consumed', my personal favourite track on the album, even has a short and sweet verse from the ex-Beastie Boy himself. Plenty of the classic Slaves humour can be found on 'F*** the Hi-Hat' combatting hecklers who have mocked their lack of high-hat, or 'People That You Meet' featuring Joel Amey of Wolf Alice on the kit, which includes a verse about their producer, informing the listener that Mike D 'used to be a Beastie Boy but now he works for me'. Perhaps the most surprising moment on the album is 'Steer Clear', a song that sounds nothing like anything Slaves have ever released before. A raw and emotional track lead by programmed drumbeats, minimal synth lines and an addictive baseline with a clever use of harmonics. Baxter Dury's featured vocals in the chorus of this track only build on what is already a truly genius piece of music. He sings 'please don't kill yourself behind that steering wheel 'cause I don't really know who I am but you keep it real' with true, untamed emotion. Nearer the end of the album is does start to drag slightly. Not to say the tracks are bad, however, 'Cold Hard Floor' overstays it's welcome, it simply goes on for too long without reaching a dynamic climax. 'STDs and PHDs' is a more electronic track with a good riff but nothing much else of note unfortunately. Much the same can be said for 'Angelica'. The final number of the album 'Same Again' sees a return to form with a heavy and visceral punk tune.
    A strong album that is not without flaws but has most of an album's worth of fierce punk songs, as well as a couple of pleasant surprises in the form of Isaac and Laurie trying something new.
    Expand