This 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 inspired hypnotic driving rhythms and soft vs. harsh vocal mix found on R&D's debut cd Candyland. Somehow this disc seems better though, I am not sure if it's just that I like this band better now or they actually have improved skill wise (probably the former).... I may never know why but what I do know is that I really like this! The band's lineup has changed since the previous work and now features vocalist/bassist Kandy Kane's wife Kalliape on keyboards and some other new face known as Angel Starz on guitar. The music is crunchy, full of groove and loaded with goth overtones and industrial beats. Lyrically there seems to be an ongoing theme dealing with sexual lust with tracks like "Virgin in the Midst" "On Your Knees" and the title track. They definitely are on the fringe of modern Christian music and do not call themselves a Christian band, yet proclaim strongly their belief in Christ and run their organization as a full-blown ministry. Maybe it's bands like R&D that we need nowadays to blow the lid off of conventional organized religion and shock people into waking up to the reality of Christ. On a final note the band does an outstanding job of covering the Depeche Mode classic "Personal Jesus". I highly recommend this disc to fans of the goth/industrial scene.
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 D_ListerDid 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…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
1996Inside, Outside, Upside Down
1998Candyland
1999The Sick and the Beautiful
2002Love Letters from Hell
