The Strypes – ‘Blue Collar Jane’

It has been a fairly meteoric rise for Cavan four-piece The Strypes. In the 18 months since they formed they have gigged relentlessly and found themselves as NME’s No.1 New Band To Watch for 2013, recorded at Abbey Road, appeared on ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ and are now penciled in to support the Modfather himself, Paul Weller. Their roots and inspiration are clear from both their music and their image – early 1960’s British Pop, most especially The Beatles. Just like the Fab Four, The Strypes cut its teeth playing old Rock n Roll standards and are a pretty faithful study of their style and sound, give or take a bit of modern production. I’m slightly uncomfortable just how closely they are being styled on The Beatles. It’s a long way from ‘Blue Collar Jane’ to the ‘White Album’ but then again, The Beatles started with ‘Love Me Do’ so we’ll not judge them too harshly too quickly.

The song itself is razor-sharp Mod Rock with a scything guitar sound that reminds me of Jet’s ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’ and carries the song over its short running time of 2:48. Ross Farelly’s vocals are typically Brit-Pop; ‘blokey’ and clipped (with a hint of mock-Scouse) but tuneful with the harmony behind them and there is plenty of hook in the spelled-out chorus. Are they the future of music? Let’s not get carried away, but what’s not to like about four young lads enjoying themselves?

‘Blue Collar Jane’ is out now on i-Tunes.

◀ SOUNDS LIKE   ⁞ The Beatles ▶
 

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