Os Noctambulos - Stranger

  by Keith How

published: 21 / 7 / 2016

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Os Noctambulos have produced a most excellent follow-up to last year’s rather good 'Corsica Gardens'. Recorded in three days, 'Stranger' is a vibrant punchy affair with their trademark garage and country punk vibe. The album kicks off in fine style where we find vocalist Nick Wheeldon channelling his inner Jim Morrison. 'Changes' splutters into life with a swirling cosmic opening and Byrds-esque guitars before Nick turns in probably the best vocal performance he has committed to tape so far. It's a fine track, brooding and moody, that sets the stage for the whole album. 'Stranger' does not stray far from the guidelines that the 'Nuggets' collection lays down, but the heart and soul of these songs transports the echoes of the past right into the present day. Cuts such as 'Handcuffs' or 'Stepping Stones' are edgy and infectious, driven by some solid drumming, a relentless bass and that oh so 1960’s organ sound. Nick’s vocal delivery is strong often sounding slightly unnerved and sinister. The guitar sound is drenched in reverb, lots of fuzz as you might expect and that vintage organ grooving along nicely. 'Stranger' is hip and cool steeped in vintage stylings. Crisp production takes these uncomplicated offerings and turns them into authentic garage/surf rock. What is most attractive about Os Noctambulos is the unpretentiousness of their work. They gig hard, tour relentlessly and get on with the job .Good honest rock and roll played in the back streets of Paris, Brussels, Sheffield, well, anywhere they can get a gig and it shows. They sound tight and wear their hearts on their sleeves. Nick Wheeldon moonlights in another project '39 & Nortons' where he lives out his Gram Parsons/Dylan in Woodstock fantasy, and it is no surprise that a hint of country music sneaks into 'Stranger' on 'The Circle ‘Ain't Broken', a tune that develops into wild country punk freak out. To sum up 'Strangers' is an excellent no frills album full of catchy tunes about heartbreak . 'No More Tears' closes the album with a sense of melancholy and just a glimpse of hope. Yes, the album references the past but when the past sounds this good who cares?

Track Listing:-

1 Changes
2 Not Everyone
3 Jordi Taught Me
4 Medication
5 The Circle Ain't Broken
6 Wandering Light
7 Handcuffs
8 Control
9 No More Tears

Band Links:-

http://osnoctambulos.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/os.noctambulos/about
https://www.songkick.com/users/OsNoctambulos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClYSp5QiXC3kioOHFtF3PZg

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/stolenbodyrecords
https://twitter.com/Stolenbodyrecs
https://www.youtube.com/user/thebadjokethatended
https://stolenbodyrecords.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/stolenbodyrecords/

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