High Strung - These Are The Good Times
by Andrew Carver
published: 2 / 9 / 2003
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Solid "hardhitting guitar crunch and energetic vocals" on debut album from "quartet of cheeky chappies from Detroit"
A quartet of cheeky chappies from Detroit, The High Strung now reside in New York. They wisely headed back to the Motor City and engineering genius Jim Diamond’s Ghetto Recorders to lay down the 13 tracks on 'These Are Good Times', and the result is hardhitting guitar crunch and energetic vocals on their zippy debut. The lyrics are usually funny-cheeky — “Come on Loretta, let me put my free hand up your sweater” and “The neighbours say your folks are high again” are but two examples. Combined with the sometimes cartoonish singing, jumping mod-pop music, and the occasional “Whoo!”, they lead one to the invariable conclusion that the High Strung have listened to, enjoyed and studied Supergrass’ 'I Should Coco' with close attention (I believe I heard the occasional Beatles cop as well). They could certainly fit well on any bill containing the Figgs, Sloan, the Sights, or Moods for Moderns. These times are indeed good; the only possible quibble is that they might want to cut back on the sugary breakfast cereal ....
Track Listing:-
1 Wretched Boy2 Show a Sign of Life
3 Ain't That Something
4 The World's Smallest Violin
5 Throwaway
6 It's On
7 Stares Everywhere
8 The Songbird
9 I Got Frustration
10 Cocksure
11 Real Nice Boy
12 Rah Rah Rah!
13 If the Night...
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart