- Label
- Island
- Release date
- 17th September 2007
- Genre
- Indie
- Buy this album
- Order CD
The search for the new young soul rebels is over, thanks to this Devon’s quartet’s brassy debut
The early Eighties have heavily influenced some of the most popular bands of today. That era’s post-punk and new wave are the key references for the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight and The Libertines/Babyshambles. Meanwhile, the soul/punk fusions of the likes of Dexy’s Midnight Runners, epitomised by their hit Geno, have been strangely ignored by today’s young upstarts.
Until now, thanks to this Devon four-piece’s debut album. The influence of Dexy’s – in the shape of Stax horns, rumbling skiffle beats and the impassioned soulful wail of Charlie Waller’s Kevin Rowland-croon – is all over Girls And Weather. Luckily, the band’s spirited exuberance and sense of fun protect them from mere parody - Girls And Boys In Love and Don’t Dumb Down are brass-free but just as memorable. Ironically, the fact that the band don’t ape Dexy’s’ melodramatic balladeering side prevents The Strips from being outstanding, alongside a lyrical immaturity that can grate. Even so, no other current British band (bar perhaps The Zutons) want to sound so soulful or stand out so much. They’re heading in the right direction.
More to try: Dexy’s Midnight Runners: Searching For The Young Soul Rebels Fun Boy Three: Fun Boy Three Adam And The Ants: Kings Of The Wild Frontier
