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These tracks, an advance for their upcoming The Ivory Trade album due out early in 2002, seem to belie the majority of press I've seen on the Stiff Kittens, which declares them to be punk-oriented. "Strawberry Hill" is closer to the mellow side of bands like U2 than to any punk I'm familiar with. At least on this mix of "Strawberry Hill," the Kitten sound is large and anthemic, the playing precise, direct and deliberate, the lyrics quite soulful and sincere. On the other hand, the b-side "Bound" rocks harder and strikes a deeper, more manic groove than the mid-tempo "Strawberry Hill." "Bound" is great club rock, exactly the type of thing needed for those blustery nights in club-crazy Cardiff. Guitarist Gary Law has some serious rock chops and diminutive drummer Lisa Herbert is an absolute dynamo on this full force track. As a bonus track, the Kittens have included an acoustic version of "Strawberry Hill" that shows a completely different side of the band. There is a bit of a John Lennon vibe about this passionate, melancholy version. Take away the British vocal lilt and this song will fit smack dab in the middle of the Americana radio dial. The Stiff Kittens have taken Bulgaria by storm. The last rock band ever to play Wembley Stadium, they are now out to become the top band in Wales and to find appeal with the American audience. From what I've heard on this promotional disc, they certainly have a shot at it. * You can listen to sound clips of Stiff Kittens
(don't you just love that name?!) at the Stiff
Kittens' web site. |
The Stiff Kittens
claim to be the greatest Welsh rock band. Not being all that
well-versed in Welsh rock bands, I can't confirm or deny this
assertion. But if their new single promotional release "Strawberry
Hill" (b-side "Bound') is a fair representation of
the band, I'm not going to argue with them. They certainly make
interesting and highly listenable rock music that translates
well to this American ear.
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