aaamusic | On 14, May 2012

Great Adventure is the 4th album from St Albans band The Scratch. The album sounds distinctly retro and brings together classic ingredients: harmonies, humour and pinches of English eccentricity in short but sweet 3 minute songs. The band’s influences are classic rock, from the Kinks and Bowie to the punk of the Buzzcocks and Siouxsie and the Banshees. The influence of the Kinks and the Buzzcocks seems to be the most obvious on their music; you can really hear it in their songs. Having opened for the likes of Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Echo & The Bunnymen, The Scratch have certainly played to big audiences.

From the first song on the album you can hear that The Scratch very much have a developed sense of sound and style. It has a very polished and experienced sound. The album opens with the catchy Down in the Alleyay with zinging guitar and a retro vocal style reminiscent of the Kinks and the Buzzcocks. You would think that you’d stepped back in time if there hadn’t been the mention of a camera phone somewhere in the lyrics to shake you back into the present day.

Things get even more energetic for the single, (She’s got) WAG Potential.

‘Superficial plastic smile… Spends all evening on her phone… Facebook fever what a diva.’

The Scratch’s modern lyrics carry their vintage sound into the modern world. The sound is both distinctly retro and modern at the same time which makes for a very interesting style.

Desire to be Thin carries on from the theme of the previous song. The lyrics aren’t the best but still The Scratch manage to be ultra catchy with a well built chorus and some funky vocals and guitar.

Narcotic Hearts has a distinct rock’n’roll feel to it with classic rock’n’roll vocals and harmonies.

Weirder Than We Are features some lovely guitar solo work and weird Buzzcocks-esque vocals. This really could be a Buzzcocks song.

Don’t Play Along continues wonderful Buzzcocks style alongside a twist of synth and soaring guitar.

88th Day of Rain rumbles in with rocking guitar and brooding base. This track is quite a deal darker and heavier than some of the songs. Certainly one of the best on the album. Biting on my Lip continues on a similar sound from 88th Day of Rain.

No Two Castles Are the Same has a 80’s goth feel to it with its shadowy guitar and vocals reminiscent of Bauhaus’ Bela Lugosi’s Dead in places. The album certainly gets darker towards the end.

The album ends with Great Adventure with some spacey electronic tinges and rock’n’roll harmonies. Wonderfully eclectic, as is the whole album. A great ending to a fantastically crafted album.

★★★★★

Rose Benge