The Strays were complete unknowns to me when I bought their album, motivated by the cover and 1€ price. Maybe encountering a Greek name in the credits also played a role: Bassist Dimitris Koutsiouris is, like me, an expat Athenian - only he chose sunny Los Angeles instead of the Gothic and rainy Delft. They don't really sound American though, their style is very British and similar to the Libertines/King Blues. Not surprising, of course, when their lead guitarist/singer is a Brit: Toby Marriott, son of a legendary rocker, the Small Faces/Humble Pie's Steve Marriott. The music is an amalgam of styles: "Geneva Code" references Nirvana while "Let Down Girls" The Clash. "Block Alarm", "Future Primitives" and "Sirens" likewise remind The Clash's efforts to combine punk and reggae. "You Are the Evolution" is an almost Status Quo-like boogie with a football stadium chorus while "This Is Forever" and "Peach Acid" are more Brit-pop, the latter reminding me Blur's rockier moments. Similarly, "Start a Riot" sounds like Supergrass and "Life Support" like Manic Street Preachers (more Brit-pop for you). "Miracles" and "Kill" are rousing garage-punk and "Servant of the Gun" another Nirvana soundalike. The album closes with a good (unnamed) punky song. Interesting CD with commercial potential, but (apparently) it failed to get noticed. I suppose it's all about the right marketing. I wonder what these guys are doing now of if they even still exist as a band...
**** for You Are the Evolution, Let Down Girls, Kill
*** for Geneva Code, Block Alarm, This Is Forever, Peach Acid, Miracles, Future Primitives, Start a Riot, Life Support, Sirens, Untitled Track
** for Servant of the Gun
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