Did I like Candyland, the first release by Rackets & Drapes? Yes I did, however it's not the type of CD that finds itself spinning constantly in my CD player. No Candyland is certainly the type of CD that I simply have to be 'in the mood for.' I think mainly it's the combination of a musical style that's not my absolute favorite combined with the mediocre production.
Well Trick or Treat fixed all that. Holding true to their shock-n-roll style of music R&D comes back with a CD that is heavier, grittier, better produced, and every bit as...well shocking. From the album cover which depicts a classroom with rows of children sitting there and a hand lowering a snake into the open mind of one of the youths (showing how the American education system is poisoning the minds of our FUTURE!) to the songs themselves these guys are not afraid to say it how it is.
Never-the-less in the midst of all the controversy that is Rackets & Drapes it's hard to wonder if they are Christian by the time you reach the last song...'Beat The Devil'! The lyrics on this song are simple, and well read for yourself;
born again, hallelujah, born again, hallelujah
I beat the devil, I beat the devil and I beat him down
praise the Lord, hallelujah
praise the Lord, hallelujah
The music as I stated earlier seems a bit heavier this time as well. If nothing else they have written more cohesive song structure, making each track a real song rather than some of the disjointed songs that graced Candyland. Added bonus the band pounds out an aggressive version of Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus' which is just amazing.
I can't stress to you enough that if nothing else you need to head down to your local Christian bookstore and listen to this CD. It's so much better than their first offering, and will be worth every bit of your effort in doing so.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by sesspoolcoming into the album with the knowledge and history of Sick and the Beautiful and the Candyland cd's... i had some high expectations... just because these guys rule. the intro, i believe to be the best intro rackets has ever done. and you gotta love the name of "the asylum" and its meaning... now... as far as the music... (and don't tell Kandy i said this) i feel this album makes a bigger point…Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by NecRoSarXDon't think the rating has anything to do with the fact that I happen to be a ravenous, drooling fan of the band. No, the reason for the high rating is because Trick or Treat, compared with their first release Candyland, is better. Tons better. Better production, better musicianship, better packaging, better spooky-ness. . . Trick or Treat is to Candyland as the steak and shrimp dinner at the…Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by SORGThis band has slowly won their way to my heart over the last few years with their dark and sometimes chaotic message. I have not heard the "controversial European version" of this disc yet but the tunes on the American version of Trick or Treat are definitely a treat, especially to those in the industrial and goth scenes. The music is really not that much different from the Marilyn Manson…Similar sounding releases
2001Brain:FAQBrainstorming
2000Broken FreeConducting the Sunrise
1999P.O.D.The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
2002ShowbreadPromo EP
2005Doug PinnickEmotional Animal
2001East WestThe Light in Guinevere's GardenMore from Rackets & Drapes
2002Love Letters from Hell
1996Inside, Outside, Upside Down
1998Candyland
1999The Sick and the Beautiful
