Strays Don't Sleep - 'Strays Don't Sleep' (One Little Indian) Released 15/05/06

When you get two already established and prolific songwriters collaborating on a side project, you are going to get one of two things…Either they end up murdering an album as ego’s take over and each song becomes an album of its own, or you get an album that flows beautifully as both artists’ separate styles bounce off each other to make a statement that is completely different to what they have done before. Thankfully with the debut Strays Don’t Sleep LP from Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard – two underground and much sought after songwriters- they have achieved the latter. A brilliantly modern and minimal sonic lullaby that has the world weariness of an old traveller and the curiosity of a young child. It is music to watch people by.

Starting off years ago as a DIY project, Strays Don’t Sleep soon became a five-piece project based in Nashville, with other band members having played with the likes of Ryan Adams and Maria McKee, and after creating a buzz around themselves and writing enough tunes for an album this little side project soon blossomed into a full blown touring band that inspired budding movie makers to submit small vignettes based on the songs included in this album. So it’s plain to see they are quite popular back in the states, and judging from this release they are going to be received well here too as their beautiful ballads and sonic wisdom akin to Damien Rice will make your skin crawl.

The running theme throughout this album is one of calm and quiet protest as there is not a raised voice to be found, as love songs are accompanied by pianos, gentle guitars and some atmospheric keyboard work surrounded by observant lyrics. Highlights coming in the form of ‘For Blue Skies’ ‘Cars And History’ and ‘Love Don’t Owe You Anything’ with it’s edgy country tinge wrapped in moody vocals. ‘Pretty Girl’ is a beautiful ballad of unrequited love that paints pictures of a love story waiting to happen that is reminiscent of early Wilco. Changing the mood to a dark edgy social comment is ‘Martin Luther Ave.’  taking on some electronic programming eclipsed by some beautiful piano lines that are as haunting as they are engaging.

As fore mentioned 'Strays Don’t Sleep' is also accompanied by a DVD featuring the work of friends of the band and budding moviemakers whom have taken songs from the album and created short films based on their interpretation of each song. This idea has been explored before on a small scale here and there, but Strays Don’t Sleep seem to have got the best of the bunch as each movie is a perfect accompaniment to the song, showcasing some brilliant new talent and painting a clearer picture, sometimes harrowing and sometimes joyful, of the album, yet not discouraging the listener from making their own connection to the song in question.

Strays Don’t Sleep is definitely not for everyone as their influences are not too varied, but for lovers of good clean wholesome ballads and atmospheric sounds, this band is for you.