The Strange Boys: Be Brave, in "Nothing Not New"

​Artist: The Strange Boys

Title: Be Brave

Release date: February 23, 2010

Label: In the Red

The Strange Boys are part of that new-ish strain of garage rock that turns its back on fast and trashy, punk-influenced rock 'n' roll and soul in favor of stoned country and psychedelia. The Black Lips -- who showed tons of promise until last year's 200 Million Thousand let me down -- are probably the leading lights of the new breed. The Strange Boys follow in the new tradition of this kind of lo-fi, garage Americana. The band is from Austin and they've put out a pretty good record on the always-reliable In the Red record label.

The singer's got a tortured, nasal desperation in his voice -- sort of Vic Chesnutt meets Mick Jagger -- that perfectly fits this slouching music. Speaking of Jagger, The Strange Boys have studied hard on their late '60s/early '70s Rolling Stones, which certainly isn't a bad thing. On Be Brave, The Strange Boys use acoustic guitar, piano, and organ to really bring out the Stones-iness.

But this isn't ballsy and brash rock 'n' roll. These guys really don't sound like their having a great time making what should-be good-time music. In fact, they sound as though they're as unsure of the future of the rest of us are. Maybe that's why I like this record. 

Note: The Strange Boys will be performing in Phoenix on Tuesday, February 23, at the Trunk Space.

Best song: "Laugh at Sex, Not Her"

Rotation: Heavy

Deja Vu: "Factory Girl" 

I'd rather listen to: The Goodnight Loving

Grade: B+

   

Jan. 28 -- Priestess: Prior to the Fire (B)