Album Review

Straight Lines – Runaway Now

• 24th Feb 2010

Hearing the introduction to ‘Runaway now’, you could be forgiven for thinking indie rockers the Strokes were making a comeback; however as soon as the vocals kick in, it’s easily identifiable as the work of Wales’s utterly unique quartet Straight Lines,rendering all comparisons impossible.

The second single to be taken from album ‘Persistent in this Game’, it’s a stark contrast to their previous offering ‘Vs. the Allegiance’ with its razor-sharp, punk-rock edge. This infectious pop-song with its melancholy, retro undertones showcases the range of their inimitable sound. Even within the song itself, there’s a blend of styles and a varied pace that keeps the listener glued to the stereo for the full 3 minutes, 37 seconds.

There’s a poignancy in the lyrics, which yearn for an escape from banality. It’s an apt theme tune for the band’s struggle to break into the business – and a surefire step up the ladder to success.