Every so often an album comes along that grabs you by the (metaphorical) balls and doesn’t let them free until you submit to its masterful musical charms. ‘Reflecting Light And Causing Chaos’ by Dead Rat Society is such an album. It burst into the atmosphere on 2nd May like a comet seeking to plough a hole from one side of our planet to the other and it has been on constant rotation here at Mayhem Towers. Dead Rat Society are based in London and blend so much into their glowing musical palette; Grunge, Punk, Metal, HipHop and EDM and probably more. They have started to pick up a lot of Radio play, particularly from John Kennedy of Radio X. He played their single “Girls” six times and gave it the X-Posure ‘Big One’ and they appeared on a coveted spot on his ‘The Remedy Night’ on March 25 this year. Dead Rat Society are Ed Harris (Vox, Guitar, Keys, Songwriter, Lyrics), Ben Potter (DJ, Producer, Songwriter), Connor Firmston (Bass) and Will Piney (Drums). Apparently the band began as a bit of a musical joke which experimented with influences from Prog Rock and old school horror films.
The album opens with “The Night” a wonderfully warped clarion call for what is to follow. It is like the Prodigy but in a much darker universe than this, the constant siren drone starts off giving harsh undertones before it becomes a part of you. I love the inclusion of a piece of the Star Wars Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme), subtle and perfect. Lyrically this bunch are like 21st century Beat Poets, the line “You’re a lowercase phrase hanging with the capital” speaks volumes in just a few words. “Can You Feel It Your Face” follows and it has a jolly happyish synth riff coupled with a vocal that is haunted with anguish. One of the vocal hooks asks “are we the last of our race”. Sadly I fear that we are, but Dead Rat Society will be featured heavily on my Armageddon playlist. The band are not brand new to With Just A Hint Of Mayhem, we reviewed their single “Come With Me On A Spaceship” back in January and that song is the third track on the album. Back then I said that I think we should all get on their spaceship and zoom to Planet Dead Rat! Lyrically it is pertinent and amusing. I particularly love “Have you tried looking outside?..everything is really Fucked“. This is electro punk garage hiphop and that is just for starters. They also incorporate some wonderful voice samples. Well they may not be samples, but either way they work. Ed from the band said this of the track “The song is mainly about inviting someone to let loose, pull away from the drudgery of modern life and relax for a bit. Away from all the lame shit. Escapism through and through by any means necessary!” I stand by every word I said back then!
In a strange coincidence, for me anyway, “Needed The Sun” opens with what sounds a little like the bass opening of the northern soul classic “The Night” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Well a loose coincidence but it does share a title with this Dead Rat Society album, right. Anyway “Needed The Sun” has a gorgeous obsidian dark jazz feel to it. It is also hard to ignore a song that opens with “I’m a fuck
But I hide it well“. On “Immaculate Vibes” I sensed a Scroobius Pip influence coupled with a Sleaford Mods feel. After a few listens I think “Shoplifters Welcome” might be my favourite track on the album. It has an insistent jagged electro feel throughout and a lyric that venomously spits anger. It also boasts words that IDLES might be proud of. The band go into an almost ballad type mood on “Leave With Care” where the emotion and pain is almost palpable. I feel that I am almost suffering with them. Not many bands or artists can pull off such a great modern blues feel as Dead Rat Society do on “Little Victories”. It reminded me of the best of Iggy Pop and Nick Cave.
“Bounce Back” is a great track that in my opinion is begging for a great dance remix, maybe by Rizzle Kicks? Of all the tracks here I feel that this one ought to be all over the radio. It is funky, catchy and seeps into your mind and stays there rent free. The album closes with “Dream River” which washes over you with dreamy calm, like a tranced out Stone Roses, but with much better vocals. The only negative comment I have is that it is way too short at less than 30 minutes, but then again, fuck it, just play the damned thing twice. Sum 41 once called an album ‘All Killer No Filler’ and that phrase describes ‘Reflecting Light And Causing Chaos’ by Dead Rat Society perfectly. Can I add that the album cover is probably the best use of a baby on a cover since Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ back in 1994. Honestly You are an absolute fuckwit if you listen to this and don’t rush onto Dead Rat Society’s spaceship and blast them into your life. If you don’t then I suspect that your brain might be missing!
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