In the already overcrowded New York post-punk/funk scene it is now imperative that newcomers have something a little different to offer. The Rapture's 'Echoes' does at least demonstrate that the band's record collection is not restricted to pre-1981 material. Opener 'Olio' pulses with a disco beat and 'I Need Your Love' sees Luke Jenner's wail welded on to a Madchester-era house backing track. Ultimately it is these diversions on to the dancefloor that set The Rapture apart because if they relied on their Gang Of Four-style riffing the end product wouldn't be quite so raved about. Jenner provides sub-John Lydon posturing on the PIL-influenced title track and from here to the end of the album a dearth of new ideas and a growing sense of miserablism is apparent. Thank goodness then for earlier single 'House Of Jealous Lovers' which The Pop Group et al would have been proud of. On the whole 'Echoes' fails to convince but there's certainly enough signs of invention to merit at least some of the adulation they are receiving.