Album Review: The Strays - "Cool Your Jets"

 

Hailing from Cheltenham, this second album from rockabilly revivalists the Strays is an agreeably fired up take on this venerable genre. Similar to Imelda May jamming with King Kurt after a few jars, this album is a whiplash-fast joyride.

Sure, there's not a lot you won't be expecting here from the barrelling title track and Silence Is Golden to the almost Latino rhythms of Hold Your Own but the key is that the Strays are a tight band musically with plenty of energy to fire these songs along and prevent them slumping into out and out predictability. Singer Stella in particular has an impressive amount of charisma in her vocals (as best demonstrated on the suave The House Always Wins) and guitarist Sam can wind the riffs impressively tightly around the band's tunes The likes of Heyyyy which takes on anonymous internet trolls shows a social conscience at work as well which is to be applauded while at the other end of the scale, the full on psychobilly freakout of Fred Batt is a real riot.

It's this musicianship and ear for a good tune which elevates Cool Your Jets from a competent album into a good one (just listen to the strutting Didn't Wanna Know for proof) and marks the Strays out as a definite bunch of contenders rather than just another '60s influenced band falling silently into the middle of a tightly packed field through just not having the clout to stand out (Courettes syndrome if you will). Keep an eye on this band, they may well be on to something here.

Bandcamp Link (CD purchase only)

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑 (8/10)

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