•
Rating: If you're a regular attendee of parties and gatherings with friends, you've likely encountered the classic group of tipsy guys singing songs of various genres, accompanied by just one beat-up, out-of-tune acoustic guitar.
Now, if you add a backdrop of trumpets, sax, brass instruments, and more, you'll get the sound of a surprising and very young band: the Rumble Strips.
"Girls And Weather" is the debut of this group, produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, The Fratellis, The Kooks). Having recently done four live shows here in Italy, the five guys from Devon (Great Britain) offer an incredible mix of indie rock, folk, soul, ska, and pop with the most refined intentions (and, above all, quality), unlike the ragtag partygoers mentioned earlier.
Charlie Waller, the band's singer and a big fan of Lou Reed and Adam And The Ants, has a voice so ramshackle and loud that it irresistibly enhances every single track of this debut. In general, it's surprising how the tracks seem irreverent, playful, and fresh yet also complete, well-thought-out, and polished.
In addition to the elements mentioned above, there's also an excellent reggae aftertaste that adds even more flavor to the mix. Whether it’s frenetic and fun rides ("Alarm Clock", "Time", "Building A Boat"), brilliant rhythmic ups and downs ("Clouds"), exquisite delicacies ("Don't Dumb Down"), or pure noise-making desire ("Cowboy"), the Rumbles always know how to enjoy and entertain.
Worth noting, outside of the album, is a hilarious live cover of "Back To Black," the famous Winehouse hit.
If only there were more debuts as fresh and interesting as this. Let's hope the Rumble Strips don't lose the vibrancy that makes this album a genuine gem. Highly recommended.
Key tracks: Alarm Clock, Girls And Boys In Love, Motorcycle, Clouds
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Alarm Clock (03:13)
My alarm clock he ain't working,
But that don't really mind,
'cos he ain't no friend of mine,
He kept waking me up, all the time, saying
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!
Get on your feet,
You've got to get a job,
'cos you're in too deep.
Oh No! Oh No!
Well I don't like doing things,
That other folks tell me to do,
So I hit him with a hammer,
And now he's quite subdued.
And well I wake up in the morning,
He don't even make a sound,
And my life ain't slipping away,
'cos his hands don't turn around,
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!
Get on your feet,
You've got to get a job,
'cos you're in too deep.
Oh No! Oh No!
And I ain't ever been so happy,
As what I am right now,
And people misunderstand me,
'cos when I was made,
Some joker put my smile on,
Upside down....
Oh No! Oh No!
06 Motorcycle (03:56)
If only this bike was a motorcycle
I wouldn't be moving so slow
If only this bike was a motorcycle
I'd be over half way home
As I move down the streets
I'd be looking so good
and I'd be gone in a blink of an eye
If only this bike was a motorcycle
If only this bike could fly
Sometimes when I'm riding along I forget where I'm going
I start a dream that this little old bike I'm sitting on
is a big loud glistening speed machine,
I'm getting chased everywhere I go,
by hundreds of girls all fighting to show
how much they love me, so I pull over and give them a ride
on my fast moving, street cruising, geek losing motorbike!
But it's all just a dream..
I'm actually moving quite slowly
The airs nice and clean but my bicycle seat is so lonely
It's so lonely this bike
If only this bike....
Oh if only this bike was a motorcycle
I wouldn't be sad anymore
If only this bike was a motorcycle
I'd move down the street with a roar
We'll be wild, we'll be free
Just my motorcycle and me
With a glint in my eye
I'd show you that this little boy can really fly
Loading comments slowly
