ALBUM REVIEW: RKTKN#3 – Raketkanon

As over-used in modern society as it may be – the term ‘alternative’ still carries a lot of weight to it. And though branded around so frequently it has now become a cliche – bands in this musical time-zone tend to have the most creative thirst. Though the last 20 years has seen so many artists claim to be alternative that any sub-genre related to the concept feels watered down by association – there are still sub sectors in modern music where you can encounter something genuinely unique. This is where Belgian ensemble RAKETKANON fall quite fittingly into the conversation.

Singing in their own, pieced together musical language – this is certainly a band you will struggle to draw similarities to. RKTKN#3 is an album that refuses to find a boundary, there’s no elements of structure here – and that’s intentionally so. At times a brooding listen, but more often than not it alienates itself is such strict confines, there’s only a select few who could potentially draw anything from this release.

It’s no coincidence that the Belgians cordon off large portions of this record from the general populace, it follows the bands pre-conceived style of sounding like the most interesting guys in the room. And there’s elements here where RAKETKANON sound like a truly unique proposition that have a gravitational pull, the solemn groove of Ricky and Lou in particular emphasise the quartets ability to turn a beat or two.

But RKTKN#3‘s biggest flaw is that it rarely gives itself the opportunity to be appreciated by a wider audience. RAKETKANON play to the idea of sounding as alternative as possible so much here, they make RADIOHEAD sound like 30 SECONDS TO MARS. You consistently ask yourself – “who is this for?” Never heavy enough to be considered hard rock, but not possessing enough electronic oomph to be considered techno either – this is a cluster of ideas with a grenade thrown into the middle of them. For some, this may well be the album’s greatest charm, and if you have a thirst for music that can’t you quite make head nor tail of – then RAKETKANON have produced your wet dream here. But if you’re not willing to unpack the bold creativity that lies within the record, then Fons and Lou will sound like an ill-controlled mess, and Mido struggles to reach any kind of flow at all.

Referring to RAKETKANON as simply ‘alternative rock’ is quite possibly the understatement of the decade, they’re so much more than that. Their elements never seem to fuse together to form one consistent sound, but there is a certain level of soul to what’s on play here. You have to give a certain level of respect for a quartet that are prepared to alienate the 90% so that the 10% have something to connect to. And that’s pretty much what RKTKN#3 is: nine tracks that would leave most with a lack of understanding of what they’ve just experienced, and leave the occasional audience member desperate to uncover what lies in the heart of this record.

Rating: 6/10

RKTKN#3 is out now via Alcopop! Records. 

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