Band: The Rabble
Album: The Battle’s Almost Over
First Released: 2007
Re-Released: June 2009
Reviewer: Colgate
Rating: 4/5

While we all sit in our rooms “studying”, a bunch of guys are making their way around the world, beginning to live the dream that the New Zealand music industry apparently fails to provide for most New Zealand based music groups.

For all you “Coasties” out there, you may remember a 4 piece punk band that spread its wings from Orewa College. If you haven’t heard of The Rabble and love punk music then you have been missing out.

Since the Orewa College days The Rabble had a bit of a line up change, and has become a 3 piece. They have also made an amazing break into the International Market, recently touring the UK and Europe, and are about to embark on an Australian tour before returning to Europe for another few months of touring.

I know that I would want them to come back to their home country: The Battle’s Almost Over’s punchy feel makes me want to see these guys live again. Okay, I will admit I am an avid supporter of The Rabble and thoroughly enjoy their music both on and off the stage, even getting to the point where my name was remembered by others (yes that is pretty bad if someone remembers your name and you only see them at gigs).

Now Chazz, Rupe and recent introduction Jamie have definitely matured since their earlier albums No Clue No Future and the This is Our Lives EP. The Battle’s Almost Over has definitely showed the boys have grown up and have really focused on their music. Some of you may be curious as to my release dates, 2007 release and then the 2009 re-release. Well, the boys have recently signed on to Australian record company Crusade Records, so the only way to celebrate a new Record company is to re-release the last one.

With the album having already been released you can guarantee it has had a few singles already, This World Is Dead!, Seeking, and Start Again are the current singles on the album and all have very impressive videos (one where you can see Rupe and Chazz’s little brother Jeremy in the back ground, proving these guys are all about the family).

For those of you out there who are into your hardcore action packed fast paced punk rock then get your grubby fucking mitts on this album and check out the tracks; Sick and Tired, This World Is Dead!, and Wasted Days, they are just a few of the tracks that you should check out. For all you other kids out there who like punk as much as the next person, this album is a must have for your collection, with great songs like Salvation, The Battle, and my own personal favourite, BORED!

Now this album has something a bit special to it. Like I said, if you are a keen and out there supporter of punk music then you should have definitely heard of The Unseen. The special guest appearance on the track This World is Dead! by the one and only Mark Unseen. His distinctive voice on this album makes it feel whole; it just put that “Seal of Approval” on it from none other than the best in the business.

After listening to this album for the thousandth time (I’m pretty sure of it), I have really enjoyed it. I know it has been a while since I last listened to this album, but it got the good old memories flowing. My own personal favourite tracks have to be, Bored, Wasted Days, Blood and Whiskey and Start Again, wait… this is starting to sound like the sound track of my university life.

For those of you who want to make a slow introduction into the punk market, then The Battle’s Almost Over is the best way to do it. The album takes you from the slow points of punk music, right through to the ‘in-your-face-just-fucking-jump-around’ punk that I personally love.

The Rabble is local punk at its best, so make sure you head down to JB Hi fi or Real Groovy to grab your copy of The Battle’s Almost Over. But not The Warehouse, unfortunately The Warehouse is pretty shit when it comes to finding music out of the mainstream.