CityLife

The Rascals - Rascalize (Deltasonic)

A RASCAL can be defined as an unreliable scoundrel, someone who is playfully mischievous - which may give us some idea as to what can be expected from the debut album of this indie-rock three-piece.

The Rascals have been subject to a lot of criticism partly a result of front man Miles Kane's friendship with Arctic Monkeys Alex Turner after the duo teamed up as The Last Shadow Puppets.

A lot of people claim that they're just a wanna-be Arctic Monkeys, but they're wrong.

On opening track 'Rascalize' Kane's voice undeniably bears some resemblance to that of Alex Turner's but that is where the similarities end. The track sounds "darker" with shady guitar effects and wailing vocals, something truly different, which is hard to find these days.

Speeds up

'Out of Dreams' starts out slow and not particularly interesting. Part-way through the track though everything speeds up, the spurts of guitar become a torrent and if you listen carefully you may even detect what sounds like a UFO.

'Stockings to Suit' is a softer track but one of the stronger ones on the album whilst single 'Freakbeat Phantom' is destined to be heard on a radio station near you.

A low point comes early on in the form of 'Bond Girl' whose beginning "oooohhs" sound almost comical but this moment of weakness is easily forgotten.

Now, if you asked me to define a rascal, I'd say they sound like the sinister brother to those frosty monkeys as they combine a multitude of guitar effects with that familiar social commentary style to create a truly interesting and "darker" sound but not entirely original.

Released on June 23

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