The Rapture "In The Grace Of Your Love"

By Nick Anaya

Top Track: "In The Grace Of Your Love" Bottom Track: "Come Back To Me" 2 Nancies

You’d expect a grander evolution from a band once at forefront of synth pop’s post-punk creation. After a five year hiatus since their third album, The Rapture falls short of expectations on In The Grace Of Your Love. Stifled by unambitious songwriting, their comeback is filled with a sense of impotency. Considering the sheer talent the separate elements of this band hold—the vocals, at times reminiscent of Jeff Buckley; the heavy pop bass; the wailing guitar; the quick tap drums and of course the obligatory synth—this album simply lacks substance.

The record isn’t half bad when you play the tracks separately, but it lacks a cohesion that would tie a decent album together. Some songs are completely out of place, like "Come Back to Me," which has a bizarre accordion sample that’s uncomfortably similar to the overplayed electro track, "Stereo Love." The album’s clear highlight, "In The Grace of Your Love," however, keeps you listening.

When The Rapture embraces their dance-rock roots, they produce the most memorable moments on the album. Unfortunately, they often struggle to find the spark that made them unique in the first place. "In The Grace of Your Love" is still worth a listen, if only for solving the mystery of exactly where The Rapture fell short.