THE STRAYS
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
On "La Futur Noir," The Strays emulate everybody from The Clash to Nirvana to The Knack to the New York Dolls. Surprisingly, it's not a bad combination. "Le Futur Noir" is one of those rare recordings that sounds as retro as it does brand new and, hence, is interesting from beginning to end, even on an inspired cover of The Lords of the New Church's "Black Girl / White Girl" (which, for some reason, is a hidden track and not the featured track it should be).
Most appealing to fans of alternative, new wave and punk (a la The Clash rather than, say, the Sex Pistols), "Le Futur Noir" breaks new ground by re-inventing an old sound. It's not for everyone but it will certainly make you sit up and take notice.
The Strays: Toby Marriott - vocals, guitar; Jeffrey Saenz - guitar, vocals; Dimitris Koutsiouris - bass. Drums performed by Matthew Rainwater, Darren Dodd, Jorma Vic and Stacy Jones.
For more information, check out http://www.thestrays.net.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 28 Oct 2024 11:25:47 -0500.
