I found it too late to consider it really, but I now think The Strange Boys '...And Girls Club' was one of the best debut albums of 2009. And only months after their first release, they are back with 'Be Brave', filled with more of the same brilliant garage rock.
Nothing quite lives up to the title track and first single, with the drawl singing, shouting, harmonious choruses and energetic, youthful guitars backed by a rough saxophone. 'Be Brave' doesn't contain as many stand out tracks as the debut, but their are more elements in the mix here, showing a maturity over just a few months. Don't worry, they are still not 'mature' in anyway, they still sound like The Black Lips little scamp cousins, but they have tightened up, which live shows will probably prove.
There is still plenty of lo-fi scuzz and disharmonies, but the Boys show here they have sensitivity underlying it all, with real Southern flair and grit. One of my favourites of 2010 so far.
