On the go since 2008, Naked Strangers are a four piece band from Ullapool (it’s in the highlands if you didn’t know; geography isn’t what it was!). This EP shows a band that have quickly gelled and developed a tightness that more experienced bands sometimes take years to hone. Kicking off with ‘A Suitcase Full Of Rain’, a driving bass led nifty little almost folk like rocker (with parts very reminiscent of one of my favourites, Big Country), the EP showcases the band in a great light, as each track stands out from the others (incidentally there is a video on youtube for this of band footage, and all I’m saying is don’t try the minibus stunt that involves moving from the back to the front via the outside whilst the bus is travelling at high speeds!). Sounding like a mishmash of the Pixies, The Arctic Monkeys and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, the band show that they can alter the pace and tone whilst keeping their sound.
Track 2, ‘One Man Band’, sounds like it could be used in bar fight scene in a movie almost. And that’s a compliment. This is my favourite track on the EP, a mean bass line underpinning a tune played at high pace. I can just imagine the glasses being thrown everywhere, bodies flying, names being taken whilst this plays over it. Tremendous. The EP is rounded out by ‘Sweet Little Rose’, a live track that shows how well the band perform together in the flesh. A slower paced track than the others, this is still essential listening and a good way to show yet another facet of their sound. So that’s it then. A quick little EP that whizzes by and is full of promise for this young band. They have already played festivals like Rockness and Belladrum to rave reviews, and local gigs have gone down a treat. The band are currently working on putting together a Scottish tour. My advice would be to check them out when they roll into town (provided they aren’t the victims of silly minibus related hijinks that is!).
Stuart Mason.
Thank you Stuart.
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