| The Strange Boys are poised to break out of Austin. Vocalist Ryan Sambol ranges
from Wilson Pickett to Julian Casablanca, settling somewhere in a dreamy '60s
that happened the way baby-boomers like to remember. The simple backing of
guitar, bass, drums and sax can drift down the lazy river of Sambol's voice or
pick up the pace to add some post-punk punch. In short, this band can appeal to
a wide variety of audiences; a fact that has not gone unnoticed by London-based
label Rough Trade Records.
When the metronome in drummer Mike La Franchi's head starts to swing a bit
faster, the band is capable of hitting a stride that combines the piercing tone
of a young Keith Richards with the tambourine-heavy, mop-top-shaking dance beats
of the Monkees. Yet, there's something distinctly and instantly novel about the
Strange Boys that prevents them from being classified as a throwback. There's
too much guile in their barbecue-flavored twang, a deep self-awareness that
distinguishes them from the Strokes sound-alikes and today's current crop of
cloyingly teen retro-rockers. The Strange Boys music is - above all else -
tasteful, and I can only tell you that they don't sound quite like anyone else
out there.
The best song on this album, and there are a few to choose from, is probably
the title track; a sign of a band with not only solid professional backing, but
also the maturity to put their best foot forward. The Strange Boys have prepared
intensely by pounding the festival circuit for the last five years. Be Brave is
their triumphant debutante ball. (Rough Trade Records)?
http://www.myspace.com/thestrangeboys | 
