Deviating from the norm is one way for a British indie band to stand out from the crowd, and Rumble Strips’ passionate ska trumpet and sax immediately separates them from the guitar-bass-drums hordes. Redheaded singer/guitarist Charlie Waller’s impressive mid-century-style croon, dotted with a plethora of intense yelps and harmonious “oh no’s”, is another key to the band’s refreshingly vibrant, blue-eyed soul rebel sound. The brass-led title track is seductively simple with its upbeat plea to prolong your morning’s sleep by smashing your alarm clock, yet its feisty cheerfulness is undeniably contagious. Another standout is the slowburningly sweet track “High Street Heaven”, which reveals Waller’s ability to belt it out over a song that dabbles in delicious bursts of funk, northern soul and glam. No wonder I’ve been following these boys since I first caught up with them at SXSW 2006. Kudos to Kanine Records for bringing this EP to the US. (Kanine) –MVW