We’re actually living some “Strange Days” right now, so The Struts‘third output is like one of the most niche albums we’ve listened to all year. They’ve used this pandemic to put together an extremely current, but almost tasteless, record for just ten days during the lockdown, with the help of a few unexpected guests.
Starting with the title track featuring Robbie Williams, Strange days is a highlight of the school. With sparkling ensembles and a slow, warm beat with melancholy falling notes, it’s the perfect theme song for the rest of the album and the one you’ll most likely want to sing along to.
After that, though, they wasted no time turning up the heat with the crazy spreader All dressed up (There’s nowhere to go). This motorcycle was cheesy AF at first but the timeless nature of this party was everything we wanted from a Struts song.
Speaking of cheesy introductions, I hate how much I want you starring Phil Collen and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard opens with an awkward phone conversation between Luke Spiller and Joe, the head of Struts, that feels odd and redundant. But it also has to be the hardest song on the record so they’re totally forgiven.
Where The Struts really start to show their talent is in the few bluesy tracks such as piano backing. Burned it with a southern rock flavor and slightly darker Wild child there’s Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. Both solid album highlights.
Strange days It’s not without its fill tracks, of course, and it’s a shame that the most forgettable track on record is also the longest. Cool Not a game changer in any way, but even then you can’t ignore it. Sleepless That’s pretty predictable at this point, but that jangly guitar solo really made us lament the lack of guitar solos in so many rock songs these days.
Do you love me is a pretty cool cover of Kiss, feeling even sexier than the original and without losing its swagger at all, while Another Hit Of Showmanship featuring Albert Hammon Jr. in The Strokes there’s even a bit of a British vibe to it, that’s nothing to complain about.
I still haven’t decided if The Struts are just modern dad rock or pure rock ‘n’ roll, but one thing’s for sure – they know how to write hooks! The album as a whole remains cohesive and thoughtfully arranged, from the thematic opening to the smoother and more intimate part. I’m talking to champagne (Or am I talking to you). Massive choruses, relentless charisma, and an uncanny harmony of nostalgic ’70s and 2020 rock themes make for a stellar production from The Strutseven if they are never the most profitable creations.
