Review: Strange Standard – Latest Singles
Odd, offbeat, strange. Common, expected, standard.
Those words would normally combine to create an oxymoron or a phrase that seems redundant. However, every so often a description rolls around that announces the breaking of new ground, the reaching of a higher level. In the Buffalo music world, that description fits snuggly on the shoulders of the band Strange Standard.
The funk outfit draws on rock ‘n’ roll influences to create a clean, high-energy groove that benefits from progressive socioeconomic lyrics. From 2019 to 2020, the band released a series of singles — seven all together — that carve out distinct sonic pathways and paint vivid lyrical scenes.
“I Assure You”
This single delivers the funk. Guitarist Jack McKay establishes the groove with a light and airy riff and then deepens it with the addition of drums from Matt Lueke. The track has a sense of restraint that helps deliver the somber message from vocalist Sebastian King as he sings, “They tell me, someday I’m going to be set free/ hard to believe it, hard to see it.”
As is prevalent throughout Strange Standard’s catalog, “I Assure You” retains a sense of perseverance.
“Honey Pot”
The band flexes their muscles with “Honey Pot,” the closest they come to sounding like ’90s alt-rock favorite Cake. This single darts off to the races with its Cajun-style drum beat and percussion.
King employs a vocal style here that is seldom heard, simultaneously coming across as demonic and theatrical. Imagine the child of Nick Cave and Barry White. The verbose frontman tells a tale on this track of not falling for the fake or artificial in this world.
“Get Your Love”
The high-reverb guitars and flat wet bass on this single draw comparisons to Tame Impala. The laid-back verse rolls into a monster hook as the band pushes full throttle. King belts the track’s namesake line, and a backup female vocalist perfectly accents his impressive baritone range.
The single also employs a distorted vocal, chopping the lyric like a DJ would scratch a record. Keys from Tim Yet carry the track to sweltering heights before it all comes crashing down after a beautiful crescendo.
“For a Time”
Strange Standard shows they can get rough and rowdy with this single. The reggae/rocksteady-style track doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Dynamic vocals play well off of each other through the song, as King hits a falsetto in the verse and then a deeper group chant punches up the bridge. From there, trumpets carry the song through the finish line.
“Fever Dream”
“Fever Dream” uses the leftover brashness from “For a Time” and acts as a touchstone of rock ‘n’ roll grit for the band. Far and away, King’s vocals soar with desire and urgency, illustrating the throws of living in, well, a fever dream.
“My My My” & “What You Doin”
The final two singles, “My My My” and “What You Doin,” are the yin and yang of Strange Standard.
“My My My” races along with the swagger of a Fela closing track and showcases the group’s collective talent to transition into a tight backbeat verse. This is easily their most danceable track.
“What You Doin” is a slow burn. You can hear the yearning of the act of reaching out for a connection in every note. A more sophisticated version of the “You up?” text, this track shows Strange Standard’s vulnerable side, and they have nothing to be ashamed of.
Up Next…
Keep an eye out for new projects from the free-wheeling Strange Standard. They have carved out their own standard of excellence and show no signs of stopping.
