In strange times like these, people will turn to music to find clarity, a glimmer of hope or a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. With nothing but time, listeners seek to expand their musical horizons and many have discovered the English rock band The Struts through their third studio album, ‘Strange Days’ 2020. This rocking quartet from central England formed back in 2012 and have been flaunting their talent on stages around the globe ever since.
The band, fronted by singer Luke Spiller and lead guitarist Adam Slack, has built a reputation for hosting an act which can only be described as unapologetically glam that leaves audiences soaked in sweat and mascara.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has thrown many a wrench in The Struts plans. Not only have all concerts been postponed since March, but the release date of their latest album has also changed. Songs that the band had played live to hype up the release of said album do not appear on “Strange Days.” It seems that the planned record has been shelved for a future, unknown release date. Instead, all 10 tracks that appear on “Strange Days” were reportedly recorded in just as many days while in lockdown from the member’s home studios and living rooms.
The Struts have flirted with featured artists on their previous record Young and Dangerous (2018), where vocal duties are shared with American singer Ke$ha on Body Talks.
Of the 10 tracks on “Strange Days,” four of them feature an accompanying artist. These guest appearances range from British pop star Robbie Williams of Take That” to guitar legend Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine.
All features on this album can be seen as collaborations with some of the band’s musical heroes and inspirations, rather than strategic picks for marketing viability.
Compared to The Struts previous collaboration with Ke$ha, the features found on this album do not contribute as much to the overall listening experience.
Where Ke$ha’s contributions enhance “Body Talks,” the features on this album could have simply been stand-alone Struts songs. This is not to diminish the songs found on this album, however. The “big, fat chorus” of “I Hate How Much I Want You” and the driving riffs of “Wild Child” are host to great examples of vocal performance and musicianship from the featured artists.
Gems such as “All Dressed Up, Cool,” and “Am I Talking to the Champagne” miss the glam of an associated big name, but do capture the energy and express the themes that have made audiences fall in love with these high-voltage British rockers.
The Struts have achieved moderate chart success on previous outings, finding top 20 status on U.S. Rock charts. This album has changed that. “Strange Days” has peaked at No. 11 on the U.K. Official Albums Top 100 Chart.
Previously, the best ranking the band achieved on the same chart was for their debut album, “Everybody Wants” (2016), peaking at No. 55. The album and its accompanying singles have yet to appear on the Billboard 200 or U.S. Rock charts.
‘The Struts’ have already made an impact on rock audiences with their shameless live performances and are leaving an ever-growing presence on musical charts on both sides of the Atlantic. This album could help propel ‘The Struts’ to even greater mainstream success. With the future of live music still uncertain, the energy from this album may have to sustain them well into 2021.
Image from The Struts via YouTube
