RAW, unadulterated rock & roll is hard to come by these days so it takes a band of real substance and tenacity to remind us what made the genre such an indomitable force in the first place. Since first bursting onto the scene a couple of years ago, Glasgow band Acting Strange have remained entirely unfazed in their quest to take rock & roll back to its purest form; their organic, self-produced compositions a refreshing alternative to the glossy productions put forward by so many of their contemporaries.

Bold in vision and execution, the band have had us enraptured with each outstanding release to date; so it is with a great deal of anticipation and expectation that their debut album finally arrives in our lap.

Recorded on their trusty 8-track, Talk Talk Talk is a thrilling summation of the band’s talents over 12 rollicking tracks. Fresh and invigorating to its very core, the album is utterly uncompromising in its garage rock aesthetic; bursting with the kind of raw vitality and unbridled energy that undoubtedly stems from the group’s organic approach to songwriting and production. Electrifying guitar licks crackle over layers of impenetrable fuzz; Billy and Ali Strange’s vocals are nonchalant yet powerful in delivery and their vintage pop melodies are anchored by some formidable basslines. Firmly rooted in the sixties, it’s a sound that feels all the more refreshing in today’s music scene; a breath of fresh air in a world overtly dependent on contrived aesthetics and overwrought instrumentation.

And while the trio may wear their influences on their sleeve, they do not pander to them. Breezing through elements of sixties rock, seventies glam and flecks of psychedelia, an undeniable swagger emanates from each track that transcends the limitations of pastiche. The album oozes vitality and personality thanks to their carefree approach and willingness to not take themselves too seriously; amongst the lo-fi chaos, there is enough sarcasm and self-ridicule laced through their lyrics to enhance their appeal even further. From the jiving grooves and indignant lyricism of album opener ‘Sharp End’ to the fun finger-popping sounds of ‘The Heist’, a track which wouldn’t sound out of place on  the soundtrack of a noir spy thriller, the album smacks of a band determined to cut their own path whilst having a lot of fun doing it.

Underneath the  unhinged guitar riffs and ramshackle energy though, lies a fine skill for songcraft. Brimming with massive hooks from start to finish, Talk Talk Talk is anything but sloppy in its delivery; despite what its ramshackle aesthetic may suggest. As one of the most rambunctious tracks on offer, ‘Start It Over’ seizes your attention from the outset with its stomping rhythms and defiant vocals. Expressing a need for solace in rollicking fashion, it isn’t long before a torrent of guitar licks arrive like a force of nature to instil the track with the raw power of rock ‘n’ roll.

The band also betray their vintage pop sensibilities through their breezy rhythms and well-executed harmonies; particularly on standout tracks ‘Start It Over’ and ‘Universe Blues. Ensuring that the album has a well-paced flow, the slower tracks provide enjoyable breathers from the whirl of fuzz which surrounds them. ‘Dreaming Away‘ introduces us to a different side of the band with its twinkling melodies and reflective vocal delivery while ‘Wrong Desires’ adds the warm tones of a harmonica to its swaying rhythms.

The trio notably make the most of their limitations in order to allow for a more nuanced dynamic. The occasional wind instrument adds texture while tracks like ‘Acting Strange’ are dominated by the distorted rumbling of a truly indomitable bassline; the kind that shakes you to your  very core. Elsewhere, ‘Questions’ sees the frontman spit his indignant lyricism with deadpan authority over a rollicking backdrop which oscillates between quiet and loud, while ‘Universe Blues‘ veers off in the direction of heady psychedelia after seemingly drawing to a close.

Finishing with the triumphant sounds of ‘Walk Like A Penguin‘, Talk Talk Talk is a bold and refreshing return to the days of pure and simple rock & roll. Nostalgic as it is fresh and invigorating, it’s a debut album which comes armed with masses of potential; all the while highlighting Acting Strange as one of Glasgow’s most exciting new outfits.