Debut album from Chris Evans-tipped, Bristol based four-piece. They feature a gardening-obsessed keyboardist who goes by the name of Duck.
In the face of the chart hegemoney of Steps, it's not a great time to be an 'alternative' band on a major label. At least Straw have some idea of what the future might have in store. "If we get dropped," warbles singer Martin Bennett, "I'll sail out the window, clutching the artwork to my debut single."
Like other 'corporate indie' acts, from Jefferson Airplane through to The Supernaturals, Straw favour the upbeat-music/downbeat lyrics dichotomy. So, quelle suprise, 'The Soundtrack Of The Summer' is an ironic title, introducing a pleasant stab at jangly Merseybeat, soared by lines like 'Can't you sing along, to get the damn thing over?' Naturally, they'll release it as a single come mid-July in a Dodgy stylee.
The only distinguishing moments are their occasional forays into the saccharine world of muzak (especially on 'The Aeroplane Song'), which are so knowingly bland they suggest that Straw are poking fun at pop music in general. It seems safe to say, however, that Steps will have the last laugh.

John Mullen

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