The Rumble Strips repackage Scott Walker, the dark prince of 60’s pop, for a new generation. Like Dexy’s Midnight Runners did 60’s Soul for the 80’s, Rumble Strips play Walker for today’s ears.

Singer Charlie Waller does justice to Walker with his full, mellow voice that can swoop up from an intimate whisper to an intense crescendo without warning. Meanwhile his band mates touch on the same bases that Walker drew from for his legendary solo albums ‘Scott 1′ to ‘Scott 4′: French Chanson, European film music, Cafe house orchestras and a touch of Soul. The Rumble Strips add a bit more of a 60’s beat than Walker deemed necessary at the time, which gives ‘Welcome’ a snappy, instantly pleasing edge.

‘Welcome To The Walk Alone’ is a streamlined take on 60’s music through the eyes of artists who grew up in the late 90’s and early naughties. It’s a shrinkwrapped, plastic perfect vision akin to Dexy’s retro Soul or ABC’s big pop in the 80’s. There’s nothing to fault on this album and all eleven tracks flow smoothly like butter on hot toast.

Watch Rumble Strips Play ‘London’ Unplugged

‘Welcome’ is a big sounding album with a real life feel. The band’s Thomas Gorbutt and Henry Clark provide the brass section and Owen Pallet supplied the lush orchestration. Pallet previously worked with Arcade Fire and 60’s-influenced The Last Shadow Puppets, so he’s quite adept at big arrangements. Producer Mark Ronson deftly balances the opulent with the intimate, giving Waller that live-in-your-living-room sound that worked so well for Amy Winehouse.

The Rumble Strips have come a long way since their 2007 debut ‘Girls And Weather’ and show a distinctive own voice on ‘Welcome To The Walk Alone’. The band may not have the raw edge and depth of their idol, but ‘Welcome’ is a decent pop album that stands out from the crowd.

‘Welcome To The Walk Alone’ is due to be released 13th July 2009 on Island Records.

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