Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's fourth LP, Baby 81, sees the trio - depleted by one third during the recordings for previous album, Howl - back to full strength with drummer Nick Jago back in the fold. With Jago's return comes some of the no-nonsense rock and roll that has made BRMC so vital, although balancing the 'bigger sound' effect of his percussion with the delicate beauty evident throughout much of Howl was never going to be easy. The 'Club rise to the challenge, and the majority of Baby 81 is a masterclass in musicianship. First single, Weapon of Choice, is perhaps the best example of this, with a bluesy slide-guitar opening giving way to stomp rock, dripping with killer hooks. In spite of the sluggish 666 Conducer and forgettable closer Am I Only, standout performances such as Berlin and Lien on Your Dreams offer proof, if any were needed, that BRMC still rock with the best of them. [Jon Seller]