The Rumble Strips - ‘Cardboard Coloured Dreams EP’ (Transgressive) Released 20/11/06

They’ve been called ‘Devon’s answer to Dexy’s.’ Ok they’ve got the soulful vocals and horn section, but there’s not a too-ra-loo in sight on The Rumble Strips’ debut EP, and you wouldn’t hear any of these songs at a wedding disco that’s for sure. No, there’s much more here than such a pigeonholing suggests. Stripped-down rock and roll and sweet backup ‘oohing’ informs ‘Born Bored’, while ‘High Street Heaven’ injects moments of the operatic and glam. Plus there’s a certain amount of sadness and cynicism veiled by the seemingly upbeat music. “I’m never gonna dream/I ain’t even gonna start… Is it gonna make a change? Is it hell!” exclaims lead singer Charlie Waller on  ‘Oh Creole’ over the bold, brassy handiwork work of his bandmates. On the song-writing alone, it’s not the strongest or most exciting debut you’ll here this year, but it’s a promising start from a band willing to step a little outside the indie box.