• Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2006
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. 'Capture/Release' may not be the jolliest record in the world, but perversely, it’s damn good fun and a heck of a lot more.
  2. Not since The Strokes exploded into our consciousness in 2001 with Is This It has a band delivered such a sharp and concise debut.
  3. 'Capture/Release' is fresh, unique, original even; its oh-so-contemporary reference points are revisited with such punk-rock vivacity and hell-for-charity-shop-leather vigour that they might be the first band you’d actually believe when they roll out the old "no, honestly, we were doing this long before we’d even heard of Bloc Party".
  4. 'Capture / Release' is an album that sounds very much like now, but it should way transcend it too.
  5. The Rakes' full-length debut is almost embarrassingly packed with winning singles.
  6. Mojo
    80
    Capture/Release's clanking guitars and shimmering melodies meld the abstract and the earthy with a Mark E Smithian panache. [Sep 2005, p.102]
  7. Blender
    80
    [A] snarly caffeine jolt of a debut. [May 2006, p.109]
  8. Equally thoughtful and energetic, Capture/Release shows that the Rakes have a smart, sharp voice that ultimately sets them apart from the rest of their scene.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    A lively, clever look into the dull days and drunk nights of London's overeducated and underpaid. [28 Apr 2006, p.136]
  10. The Rakes' debut is by turns profoundly unsettling and savagely funny as each song is propelled by a seething sense of purpose.
  11. Q Magazine
    70
    Despite [their] obsession with the everyday... The Rakes are never mundane. [Sep 2005, p.118]
  12. File The Rakes under "serviceable art pop."
  13. Rolling Stone
    70
    Why can't all bands be this much fun? [15 Dec 2005, p.154]
  14. Alternative Press
    70
    Riotously catchy pop songs that fall somewhere between boisterous pub anthems and artsy bursts of haphazard punk. [Jun 2006, p.190]
  15. Unfortunately, Capture/Release might be the victim of bad timing: It's going to sound pretty rote to American audiences who've been steeped in this stuff for the past couple years, and while it's doubtful that the Rakes are overtly ripping off any of the bands they resemble, it scans as a failure of imagination on the listener's end.
  16. Donohoe's narratives are bundled up into punchy, punky three-minute bursts that win points for verve, if not originality.
  17. Uncut
    60
    An erratic mix of mundane, London-centric Skinnerisms and out-of-focus political ire. [Sep 2005, p.100]
  18. Repeated listens of Capture/Release uncover some songs to pique your interest, but the brevity and sameness of the songs weigh the album down.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Jahar
    Jun 29, 2006
    9
    I wasn't too sure about these guys after listening to their ablum for the first time. I knew "22 grand job" was great, but it took me a I wasn't too sure about these guys after listening to their ablum for the first time. I knew "22 grand job" was great, but it took me a few listens before the tracks began to really grow on me. Now I love 'em. Full Review »
  2. JohnW
    Jun 20, 2006
    9
    A truly great album. I find myself tempted to say that it is better than BP's Silent Alarm. With a little improvent in percussion this A truly great album. I find myself tempted to say that it is better than BP's Silent Alarm. With a little improvent in percussion this album would have been a 10. Full Review »
  3. ChadB
    Jun 9, 2006
    10
    Incredible! The singles, Strasburg, Retreat, Work Work Work, are all brilliant. Binary Love is possibly the best album track not released as Incredible! The singles, Strasburg, Retreat, Work Work Work, are all brilliant. Binary Love is possibly the best album track not released as a single all year. Witty and Intelligent lyrics, check. Catchy guitar, check. Attitude to conquer the world, check. Some critics have complained that the subject matter is to myopic in that it is aimed at London young professionals. Well, I'll tell you, this album transends to young pros everywhere, especially the drinking bits. Can't wait for the next album! Full Review »