The Strypes: Spitting Image – from teenage mods to young proto-punks

Third album in, and The Strypes look as if they have finally broken their teenage r&b habit and developed into a band full of the joys of adulthood. Going from what is essentially proto-punk to the cannier end of the class of 1978/'79 (Squeeze, The Jam, early Elvis Costello and the Attractions, The Pretenders) seems a natural progression, and it is to The Strypes' credit that they have advanced with such flair. While they're still in thrall to their influences, what's different here is that the songwriting comes from a level of serious experience. Grin and Bear It emits shades of Squeeze ("she took a test when she was late, moved into the new estate . . ."), while Easy Riding is a snappy Nick Lowe offcut. So much for growing pains – it seems coming of age wasn't too difficult, after all. thestrypes.com