The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers (DFA/Mercury)
release date: 25 August 2003
Recorded in New York City; produced by Messrs Goldsworthy and Murphy; a melange of throbbing bass, angular guitars, punk sneering and '70s disco action: sounds familiar?
Yes, The Rapture bear an uncanny resemblance to electro-clash peers, Radio 4, but given that they've both been doing this for years, it's not worth quibbling over intellectual property rights (Gang Of Four would have something to say about that, in any case).
House Of Jealous Lovers is already well-known on dancefloors thanks to its limited edition, vinyl-only release last year. With its funky rhythm and slightly out-of-tune vocal screech it is best understood in that context too, unless whirling like a dervish is what takes your fancy in the privacy of your front room. The debut album, Echoes, should be a genre-bender.