I’ve been following The Struts since 2015, soon after the release of their first full album, Everybody Wants (2014).
Energetic pop / glam rock group from England. Luke Spiller is the front man and his Freddie Mercury-like vibrato and full-throated vocals are super fun to listen to.
I’d seen a few of their vids on YouTube, originals and covers (their take on Lorde’s Royals is better than the original, imo). Real rock and roll, entertaining and enthusiastic. I bought their CD.
Their sophomore effort, Young & Dangerous, came out in 2018. Bought that too. Liked them both.
This album kind of reflects our current moment without being obsessive about it. And I resonate with this bit of lyric from the title track: ‘science fiction I believe has become reality.’
Despite the weirdness of the past few years, the message of the song is positive – be grateful for each other, let's get through this together.
According to the liner notes, Spiller feels this is their best album so far. I mean, it's good, but I still like their first two offerings. It's more "them" I think. More pop feel with very catchy hooks.
This one is more old school rock, maybe. So, while some songs are immediate standouts, it has a bunch of different influences, which is neat if you're looking for that sort of thing. Also, fair warning: explicit lyrics abound.
I rate the album 7ish out of 10, meaning I’ll listen to it all the way through for a few weeks straight (until I get bored with it, lol). Then I'll start skipping a track or two every now and then.
Here’s my take on each song.
)1) Strange Days – melodic, excellent pop rock tune, should be on the radio (9/10)
)2) All Dressed Up (With Nowhere to Go) – typical Struts sound, upbeat fun (7/10)
)3) Do You Love Me (by Paul Stanley, 1976) – cover, better than Kiss, imo (7.5/10)
)4) I Hate How Much I Want You – with Joe Elliott and Phil Collen – definitely Def Leppard feel to it (7.5/10)
)5) Wild Child – hard rock, reminds me of another classic rock band, but can’t place it! (6/10)
)6) Cool – another Struts style song, upbeat, driving, but influenced by the Stones for sure (7/10)
)7) Burn it Down – slower, Black Crowes like ballad, piano heavy rock (7/10)
)8) Another Hit of Showmanship – love Spiller's vibrato typical Struts tune, strong pop hook (8/10)
)9) Can’t Sleep – another Strut style song, a bit repititious (6/10)
)10) Am I Talking to the Champagne (or talking to you) – this one's slow and easy, with a Santana feel (8/10) and in fact, I'd like to hear Santana cover this song and see what he does with it.
Well, that's about all I have to say about that. Check them out on YouTube and let me know what you think.
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Keep it clean and positive. (And sorry about the word verification, but the spmb*ts are out in full force!)