In The Grace Of Your Love

Description

Initially released in 2011, In the Grace Of Your Love is The Rapture's last album with its original lineup. It represents a considerable turning point for the band, and a return to the DFA label, which had helped them produce their first album, Echoes, an instant classic. The momentum and success of the following years had drawn them into a downward spiral with the majors, only to bring them back to square one. Marked by these experiences, they were now free to push the boundaries of imagination. It was the late Philippe Zdar, a member of the French dance duo Cassius and producer for artists such as Phoenix and the Beastie Boys, who guided them on this journey. Zdar's enthusiasm and technical mastery are palpable from the first 30 seconds of the album: "Sail Away" is a five-minute outlet driven by disco rhythms, revealing a grandiose and radiant The Rapture. Of course, dance enthusiasts will find what they're looking for ("How Deep Is Your Love" still sets New York dancefloors ablaze, "Miss You" is an irresistible minor-key track) but the overall impression is one of slowing down, introspection, and a search for meaning and love. Hence the finale: "It Takes Time To Be a Man", a touchingly sincere piano song, which speaks of responsibility and mutual aid. It is unlike anything else in The Rapture's repertoire and yet, it concludes the album perfectly. The credits roll, time passes, and the music remains essential.