The Strypes, Snapshot

The Strypes

Snapshot

Reviewed by: Stephen Krock

As a reviewer, there are times when press makes it so frustrating to get access to an album for review. And let me tell you, this time probably takes the cake. It was like breaking into the Pentagon trying to listen to this thing. Just when I was about to say, “Screw it,” and give ‘em a B- like any teacher would on a Sunday night, I got it up and running and was blown away.

The first song I heard was “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.” And I sat agog. It was like nothing I had heard before in a way that made me feel stupid for ever saying those words before now. If The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand had a baby that played the harmonica and had the soul of Chuck Berry, it would be a lot like The Strypes. There’s plenty of all out garage band rock on opening tracks “Mystery Man” and “What The People Don’t See.” But there’s a surprising and refreshing piece of country heart and bluesy soul in the blood of these songs. There’s even a trace of The King himself in the 50s-eque “I Can Tell.” The Strypes are literally in a class of their own. Much like the eponymous She in the track “She’s So Fine,” they float like a bee and sting like a butterfly.

They are old souls for a modern age. A+ students in a D student world. Also, they’re all about 17. When most guys are starting bands to get laid, The Strypes have figured out more about music than most have in an entire career. I just hope that in a few years, these guys get all the sex. All of it.

Rating: Iconic