THE STRUTS: Pretty Vicious (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

What words will it be possible to find to describe a new album by The Struts when the Derby quartet have already managed to impose their style in just three albums? That's the question that arises before listening to 'Pretty Vicious', which arrives on our playlists as the successor to the tornado of energy and freshness represented by 'Strange Days'. For nearly ten years, the gang led by Luke Spiller and Adam Slack have been making their mark, drawing inspiration from the biggest names in British rock to offer a revitalising potion that symbolises the future of this musical genre. Fans will find themselves torn between curiosity as to whether this formula still has the capacity to renew itself and innovate, and the secret desire not to see their recipe changed.

And improbable as it may seem, The Struts manage to meet both these expectations at the same time. First of all, there's the reassurance of finding all the markers that make the English band's music so satisfying. As usual, it's fun to spot the shadows of the band's major influences, as discreet as they are inescapable. A rock-glam tornado with a Queen flavour here ('Rockstar'), a Rolling Stones-Like riff there ('Remember The Name') and the foundations remain solid. All this is once again perfectly united on the unstoppable single 'Too Good At Raising Hell', which opens the festivities with the discreet help of a brass section. But in the midst of this succession of pop, rock and glam tracks, all with choruses that get stuck in your brain, a few changes appear to enrich a process that's as exciting as ever.

There's more room for soli from Adam Slack, who's not above reminding us that he's far from a one-armed man ('Do What You Want', 'Remember The Name', 'Gimme Some Blood'). There are also the brass contributions we mentioned for the opening track, but which we find again and again, culminating in 'Better Love' with its saxophone. Finally, the ballads are more prominent here than usual, and there are three of them. These are particularly successful, and are further demonstrations of Luke Spiller's talent as a storyteller, bewitching ('Hands On Me'), melancholy ('Bad Decisions') or deeply poignant ('Somebody Someday', a true confession to fans).

A mature album, 'Pretty Vicious' confirms that The Struts are destined to reign unchallenged at the pinnacle of rock, and particularly at its most festive end. Like their main influences, the quartet have been able to forge a recognisable identity from the very first chords, while still being able to evolve and challenge themselves. - Official website

THE STRUTS

PRETTY VICIOUS

UNIVERSAL

ROCK