Album Review

The Rascals – Freakbeat Phantom

• 13th Jun 2008

Freakbeat Phantom, 1st single from the debut album Rascalize by the Wirral-based trio the Rascals, gives a psychedelic nod to their hometown’s forebears. Wistful guitars, echo effects and ethereal melodies coupled with abstract lyrics and a taught rhythm add up to a tight, dynamic and compelling single.

Favourable comparisons will be made with The Coral and early Kula Shaker but the B-sides, especially Shades of Embarrassment and A Hand in the Shadow, would not sound out of place on an album by the band they opened for recently: the Arctic Monkeys. On the strength of this single, Rascalize should be hot.