DANCING AROUND DIVINE INTERVENTION
BY LEN SOUSA
Gabriel Andruzzi Of The Rapture Blows His Horn
Given that books like the Left Behind series, which deal with the rapturous end of days, are so popular it’s no wonder that a group called The Rapture has gotten a fair share of notice in recent years. “As far as I know, we haven’t had any Christians show up thinking we are a Christian band,” multi-instrumentalist (though often saxophone-playing) Gabriel Andruzzi tells me. “Plus, there’s a whole lot of other shit that’s supposed to go down before the [Biblical] Rapture.”
I suggest the band name must refer to the Blondie song then. “I prefer to leave it as an enigma,” Andruzzi finally says. Fair enough. We’ll go with Blondie until something better comes along.
Formed in 1998 by guitarist/vocalist Luke Jenner and drummer Vito Roccoforte, and later joined by bassist Matt Safer and Andruzzi, The Rapture released their first record (Echoes) in 2003 to the rare pleasure of both fans and critics. A dance punk novelty when it was released, by the time the band’s second album (Pieces Of The People We Love) debuted in 2006, opinions were mixed.
A lighter release, the new album offers a cleaner sound to avoid a sophomore slumper and the band actually pulls it off. Ditching DFA producers Tim Goldsworthy and James Murphy (from the label that almost single-handedly ignited the dance punk revival of the early 2000s), The Rapture brought on Ladytron and Chemical Brothers producer Ewan Pearson along with the mixing talents of Paul Epworth and Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse to throw their hipster levels into overdrive.
Sadly, Andruzzi is uncooperative about discussing the band’s change to a new sound. “The studio is a sacred place,” he says. “I cannot comment on what happens there.” Cryptic, Gabe. Any chance there’s something more to that divine Rapture idea? “I seriously doubt that any Christian would show up at one of our gigs in attempt to ascend to heaven,” he confesses.
“The difference between the albums is that we are a different band now,” he says moving on. “There was no plan to this album, it just happened. It's us. I’ll leave the commentary for the critics [and] bloggers. I can comment on them later.”
For a follow-up release, Pieces is certainly more tightly played than its predecessor and borders on a dance revelation. Out are the scorching guitar licks and bassless ambiance omnipresent on Echoes; in are the undulating bass rhythms and signature technoesque sizzles found on most contemporary dance records. Purists deem the sound too produced and poppy for their tastes, but a dance album without pop would be like releasing a music video that didn’t feature a roller disco.
Fortunately, like Jessica Simpson (“A Public Affair”) and Madonna (“Sorry”) before them, The Rapture have even covered the latter with their latest video, “Get Myself Into It” (where bassist Safer participates in a bizarre roller disco dance-off). “We really like to think of our music as a party,” Andruzzi says. “In general, I think pop has become a bit closer to what we do than us to it. What I'm saying is, like any good art, our style and sound has been co-opted by the Machine.”
Andruzzi laughs, half-joking, but continues. “There is just more out there that sounds like us. Timbaland produces Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado tracks that sound like electroclash jams. The Killers try to play disco beats. Blah, blah, blah. For us, this has always been our pop/R&B band.”
A fact clearly present on the new album. And well, if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them, right? “Despite co-option,” he reveals, “we have no money for dancers…[But] I do think there is a dramatic arc to our albums and especially the live show.”
So if not the apocalypse, what plans hath The Rapture for the new year? “I am sure we will tour through the winter and spring and most likely play festivals in the summer.”
Ok, let’s close things off with a special message for the kids. “Listen to our music,” Andruzzi states. “It’s everything good in the world wrapped up into a neat little CD. It will last a long time; your joy will grow with every listen. It will enrich your soul and mind as well as provide mindless entertainment.”
Blow, Gabriel, blow.
Originally Published:
Skope Magazine (Jan/Feb 2007)
