Stray – About Time
Del Bromham, who continues to fly the Stray flag loudly and proudly decades after those halcyon days (if by halcyon we mean greatest little band to never make it big – albeit they would go on to achieve cult status), is not just a nifty songwriter and guitarist; he's also a cheeky chappie who is never short of a humourous a quip, as the title of the band’s latest studio album underlines.
But there’s also the serious matter of thirteen long years since previous studio album Valhalla, and the quality of the current line-up, where Bromham (lead vocals, guitars, songwriter) is joined by his old Stray mate of the band’s later 70s period Pete Dyer (guitars), drummer Karl Randall (who has been with Bromham & Stray for close to 20 years), bassist Colin Kempster (who in playing style, groove and four-string weapons of choice reminds of original Stray bassist Gary Giles) and keyboardist Simon Rinaldo, who is also part of the highly individualistic rock band Pearl Handled Revolver.
While known more as a classic four-piece (and as a trio earlier in the noughties), there is no question Simon Rinaldo has become much more than the Stray’s fifth member – in fact he’s the band’s secret weapon, adding some great Hammond B3 and keyboard work that enhances, fills or complements, as each song requires.
Rinaldo also plays an important part in the full-bodied sound of About Time; he produced and engineered the album (mastered by Lucas Rinaldo) and, whether by accident, design or classic rock fate, also managed to create a discernible 70s sound, which perfectly fits the 70s vibe of many of the songs and their arrangements.
(The results are a Stray album that reminds of the weight and impact of the self-titled debut, and the multi-faceted Mudanzas).
Take opener 'I Am' for example. The initial acoustic folk setting allows for the lyrical self-reflection to be established before the song blossoms into a melodically framed rock and roller that sounds like it was lifted straight out of the mid-70s; it’s a rolling back of the years while also heralding in a(nother) New Day for Stray.
The gritty riff and power chords that introduce 'Living The Dream' leads to an up-tempo celebration of the song’s title as well as being, again, a song that would sit comfortably on any of Stray’s 70s album (kudos here to Simon Rinaldo’s close support on Hammond organ (and later solo), and Messrs Randall & Kempster’s driving rhythm.
But there’s also the serious matter of thirteen long years since previous studio album Valhalla, and the quality of the current line-up, where Bromham (lead vocals, guitars, songwriter) is joined by his old Stray mate of the band’s later 70s period Pete Dyer (guitars), drummer Karl Randall (who has been with Bromham & Stray for close to 20 years), bassist Colin Kempster (who in playing style, groove and four-string weapons of choice reminds of original Stray bassist Gary Giles) and keyboardist Simon Rinaldo, who is also part of the highly individualistic rock band Pearl Handled Revolver.
While known more as a classic four-piece (and as a trio earlier in the noughties), there is no question Simon Rinaldo has become much more than the Stray’s fifth member – in fact he’s the band’s secret weapon, adding some great Hammond B3 and keyboard work that enhances, fills or complements, as each song requires.
Rinaldo also plays an important part in the full-bodied sound of About Time; he produced and engineered the album (mastered by Lucas Rinaldo) and, whether by accident, design or classic rock fate, also managed to create a discernible 70s sound, which perfectly fits the 70s vibe of many of the songs and their arrangements.
(The results are a Stray album that reminds of the weight and impact of the self-titled debut, and the multi-faceted Mudanzas).
Take opener 'I Am' for example. The initial acoustic folk setting allows for the lyrical self-reflection to be established before the song blossoms into a melodically framed rock and roller that sounds like it was lifted straight out of the mid-70s; it’s a rolling back of the years while also heralding in a(nother) New Day for Stray.
The gritty riff and power chords that introduce 'Living The Dream' leads to an up-tempo celebration of the song’s title as well as being, again, a song that would sit comfortably on any of Stray’s 70s album (kudos here to Simon Rinaldo’s close support on Hammond organ (and later solo), and Messrs Randall & Kempster’s driving rhythm.
As strong as the opening brace of songs are, the band fully hit their stride with 'Black Sun.'
A tour-de-force of progressively styled blues rock, 'Black Sun' opens in fine Stray style (incessant riff and a brooding opening) before kicking into higher gear with an impacting message chorus ("nobody’s gonna live or breathe anymore… black sun!").
There then follows a Celtic jig-rock C part before the song returns to the main riff and chorus finale.
File under one of Stray’s best ever songs.
'Blood From a Stone' provides lighter rock and roll contrast, which helps emphasise Del Bromham’s social narrative (story-telling and social commentary lyricism are Bromham lyrical traits; a cut well above the usual rock & roll cliché suspects).
'Shout' is not just the longest song on the album (clocking in at just under eight minutes), it’s also the most musically interesting and lyrically angriest ("shout at the politicians, shout at the man next door; no-one seems to listen, but that’s what your ears are for… shout!").
A combination of classic Uriah Heep at their 'eaviest meeting middle eastern motifs, and sporting a great use of dynamics, 'Shout' is a progressively shaped monster of a song.
The album closes out with a brace of weighty six-and-half minute numbers.
'Better Times' (the title tells you the lyrical story) is quintessential 'Stray rock' – hard hitting, guitars that shimmer with energy, and a pounding rhythm.
'Sword of Damocles' is far more subtle in its opening atmospheres and arrangement before kicking in to a Zeppelin-esque section that musically parallels the threat and uncertainty of both lyric and title.
It's also another with a great sense of dynamics, making for a seriously impressive closing statement.
But that’s not quite the end of the long, thirteen year wait.
Three additional songs are included, none of which quite fit the profile of the album, hence featured as bonus tracks.
'That is Not Enough' is a funky little rock-blues that continues Del Bromham’s social commentaries theme (again, there’s a huge clue in the title).
'Raise Your Hands' is the only weak track on offer (too by-the-mid-tempo-rock-numbers); however it redeems itself a little through its we’ve had enough/ time to ask questions lyricism.
The contrasting, acoustically led poignancy of bluesy folk number 'Dust in Your Pocket' (featuring some nice harmony vocal work and Simon Rinaldo on accordion) is the pick of the three.
Through a combination of some outstanding Del Bromham songs and their arrangements, the quality of this particular quintet and the production/ sound, About Time is Stray’s best offering since the bold blues-rock of Houdini some 47 years ago.
Further, bonus tracks aside, as a powerful and concise seven song, forty minute rock album with progressive tendencies, it deserves to be in the same conversation as any Stray album you care to mention.
About Time indeed. And, more importantly, well worth the wait.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
About Time is out now on CD and digital.
Hand signed editions available via http://www.straytheband.co.uk/stray-about-time/
A tour-de-force of progressively styled blues rock, 'Black Sun' opens in fine Stray style (incessant riff and a brooding opening) before kicking into higher gear with an impacting message chorus ("nobody’s gonna live or breathe anymore… black sun!").
There then follows a Celtic jig-rock C part before the song returns to the main riff and chorus finale.
File under one of Stray’s best ever songs.
'Blood From a Stone' provides lighter rock and roll contrast, which helps emphasise Del Bromham’s social narrative (story-telling and social commentary lyricism are Bromham lyrical traits; a cut well above the usual rock & roll cliché suspects).
'Shout' is not just the longest song on the album (clocking in at just under eight minutes), it’s also the most musically interesting and lyrically angriest ("shout at the politicians, shout at the man next door; no-one seems to listen, but that’s what your ears are for… shout!").
A combination of classic Uriah Heep at their 'eaviest meeting middle eastern motifs, and sporting a great use of dynamics, 'Shout' is a progressively shaped monster of a song.
The album closes out with a brace of weighty six-and-half minute numbers.
'Better Times' (the title tells you the lyrical story) is quintessential 'Stray rock' – hard hitting, guitars that shimmer with energy, and a pounding rhythm.
'Sword of Damocles' is far more subtle in its opening atmospheres and arrangement before kicking in to a Zeppelin-esque section that musically parallels the threat and uncertainty of both lyric and title.
It's also another with a great sense of dynamics, making for a seriously impressive closing statement.
But that’s not quite the end of the long, thirteen year wait.
Three additional songs are included, none of which quite fit the profile of the album, hence featured as bonus tracks.
'That is Not Enough' is a funky little rock-blues that continues Del Bromham’s social commentaries theme (again, there’s a huge clue in the title).
'Raise Your Hands' is the only weak track on offer (too by-the-mid-tempo-rock-numbers); however it redeems itself a little through its we’ve had enough/ time to ask questions lyricism.
The contrasting, acoustically led poignancy of bluesy folk number 'Dust in Your Pocket' (featuring some nice harmony vocal work and Simon Rinaldo on accordion) is the pick of the three.
Through a combination of some outstanding Del Bromham songs and their arrangements, the quality of this particular quintet and the production/ sound, About Time is Stray’s best offering since the bold blues-rock of Houdini some 47 years ago.
Further, bonus tracks aside, as a powerful and concise seven song, forty minute rock album with progressive tendencies, it deserves to be in the same conversation as any Stray album you care to mention.
About Time indeed. And, more importantly, well worth the wait.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
About Time is out now on CD and digital.
Hand signed editions available via http://www.straytheband.co.uk/stray-about-time/